LATEST ARTICLES

Baraga State Park getting new playground

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NEW EQUIPMENT–New playground equipment will soon be installed at the Baraga State Park through a partnership with the Michigan Army National Guard. The community build program will take place June 2nd through the 7th at the park. Baraga State Park authorities noted that the National Guard will lend their expertise to construct and install the brand-new playground system in the campground. While the park and campground will remain open during construction, the playground area will temporarily close for safety reasons.
by Melissa Newland New playground equipment will soon be installed at the Baraga State Park through a community playground build program. The Baraga State Park announced at the end of February that the project was able to be accomplished through a partnership with the Michigan Army National Guard for the community playground  build program and will take place June 2nd through the 7th at Baraga State Park. Baraga State Park authorities noted that the National Guard will lend their expertise to construct and install the brand-new playground system in the campground. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

LAS Junior High band attends first Festival

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A FESTIVAL FIRST–The L’Anse Junior High band recently participated for their first time at Band & Orchestra Festival! The band received a second division rating on their performance and a first division rating in sight reading, overall receiving a second division rating.
by Melissa Newland The L’Anse Junior High band recently participated for their first time at Band and Orchestra Festival which was held at Houghton High School last week. According to the Michigan Schools Band & Orchestra Association’s (MSBOA) website, www.msboa.org, “At Band and Orchestra Festival, students have the opportunity for ensembles from member schools to perform a program of three pieces for adjudication, one of which must be from MSBOA’s required list. District-level festivals are held at the end of February through the beginning of March, with this one being held Feb. 29, 2024. Each group is evaluated by three performance judges and one sight-reading judge. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

County provides election info

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EARLY VOTING–The presidential primary this past Tuesday also featured nine-day early voting for all jurisdictions at the L’Anse Township Hall from Saturday, Feb. 17, through Sunday, Feb. 25. These are pictures from early voting on the first weekend.
by John Raffel It’s an election year and Baraga County clerk Wendy Goodreau reminds individuals of various deadlines for filing for various offices. Filing deadline for partisan county and  township candidates is April 23 at 4 p.m. for the August ballot. Filing deadline for precinct delegates is May 7, at 4 p.m. for the August ballot. Filing deadline for candidates without political party affiliation seeking partisan office is July 18, at 4 p.m. for the November ballot. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Mild winter affects long-established businesses

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MILD WEATHER ABOUND–A lot in front of the L’Anse Motel & Suites that is typically full of snowmobiles has none. With one of the warmest winters on record, we go another year without ice on the bay, without snowmobilers on the trails. Businesses that rely on winter for a great deal of commerce are hurting more than ever this year. From restaurants to motels to logging, the mild temperatures are worse than you might think.
by Porter Davis As most Yoopers could tell you, winter is never consistent in northern Michigan, but rarely is it so tame as it has been this year. Most people would consider a mild winter to be a blessing, and perhaps in most places that is true, but here where we’re so accustomed to cold winters, most businesses plan their best times around the darker months. When faced with a winter that hardly leaves snow on the ground, decades old establishments are  struggling to find ways to operate. Beyond ice fishing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing,  there exists the restaurants that feed us, the hotels that provide a warm bed, and the shops with fishing supplies. The bay is devoid of the dozens of ice shacks that typically dot it in the heart of February. Snowmobile trails are practically nonexistent and thus tourism is taking a huge hit. With March right around the corner, we may yet get a big storm or two, but the likelihood that our winter is already over is all too apparent. Beyond commercial industries that everyone is familiar with, the warm weather brings an even greater threat to the state economy. Logging has been a part of life in the UP since the land was first  settled. Logging with modern machinery and vehicles typically requires the logging  companies to adhere to strict rules and regulations to preserve the land for further use and relogging over time. When the ground freezes, heavy equipment doesn’t damage the  ground and loggers are able to do some of their most profitable work in the winter. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.  

Road commission engineer honored

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Doug Mills
  by John Raffel The County Road Association (CRA) of Michigan Engineering Committee presented its 2023 Engineering Awards at the annual County Engineers Workshop held on Feb. 6 in Manistee and Doug Mills, engineer-manager with the Baraga County Road Commission, was presented with the Rural Engineer of the Year Award. Tim Brown, Saginaw County Road Commission, was named Project Manager of the Year. “CRA’s Engineer of the Year Awards honors those who have dedicated their careers to the pursuit of engineering excellence,” CRA CEO Denise Donohue said in a statement. “Doug and Tim have positively impacted their county road and bridge system. They are hardworking and integral members of their road commissions.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.  

Sacred Heart celebrates Catholic Schools week

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HELPING HANDS–Students at Sacred Heart School (SHS) in L’Anse celebrated National Catholic Schools week Jan. 28 through Feb. 3, with fun activities for students and faculty alike, including a school-wide service project and giving appreciation for the work teachers do every day. The week ended with a celebration on Friday of the school’s teachers, with the Home and School Association providing coffee and goodies for the teachers in the morning and an afternoon free of lesson plans with the entire school spending the afternoon skating at Meadowbrook Arena. Pictured are (l-r) hockey player Roman Brennan (grade 6) assisting classmate John Holcomb (grade 5) with his skates.
by Christy Miron  Sacred Heart School Principal National Catholic Schools Week was celebrated by staff and students at Sacred Heart School (SHS) in L’Anse who participated as part of the nationwide celebration of Catholic education. The event took place Jan. 28 through Feb. 3, with fun activities for students and faculty alike, including a school-wide service project and giving appreciation for the work teachers do every day. “Catholic Schools Week is a favorite for all each year,” said SHS  Principal Christy Miron. “Students had the opportunity to put aside their uniforms for the week and dress according to each day’s theme.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.  

Otter Lake Fishing Derby has great results

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ICE FISHING WINNER–Robert Aho of Tapiola caught the biggest fish at the Otter Lake Fishing Derby on Jan. 27, 2024. His fish was 34 and 3/4 inches long, garnering him $360. The fishing derby saw 76 contestants out on the ice, which stayed solid despite the warm temperatures.
by Porter Davis The Otter Lake Fishing Derby has been going on in Tapiola for many years now, bringing people from all over the western Upper Peninsula to go out on the ice. The fishing derby is a day of ice fishing on Otter Lake, where fisherman and kids compete to catch the biggest fish. Beginning at sunrise, fisherman haul in fish all day long using poles and tip-ups. Some people sat around the drilled holes with friends or family, while others drilled multiple holes and waited to see the flags from their tip-ups swing up across the lake. Regardless of  method, most fished in groups and enjoyed the warmer weather. The derby took place on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. This year, the only fish measured for the contest were Northern Pike. Fisherman had until the morning of the derby to sign up and were allowed to fish until 4 p.m. Afterwards, a weigh in took place at 5 p.m. Most people came in a little early and fish measurements were submitted throughout the day. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Elmblad presented with Quilt of Valor

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QUILT OF VALOR–Clyde Elmblad was presented with a Quilt of Valor at the L’Anse American Legion on Jan. 16, 2024, honoring his service in the Korean War. The quilt is a way of comforting veterans and giving thanks for their sacrifices. Elmblad was nominated by his niece Lynn Kubit, and the evening was organized by Jim Sullivan and Kristina Waara of the L’Anse and Alston VFWs. Kristina Waara presented the quilt to Elmblad, who afterward enjoyed pics and a pleasant evening with his friends and family. Pictured with Clyde above are Matt Elmblad, Gwen Elmblad, and David Elmblad.
by Porter Davis A Quilt of Valor was recently presented to local man and Korean War veteran Clyde Elmblad. The quilt that Elmblad was given was hand-made and specially embroidered with his name. These quilts aim to provide comfort and peace to those touched by war. Presented with his quilt at the L’Anse Legion on Jan. 16, 2024, Elmblad enjoyed an evening of appreciation for his service and time with friends and family. The legion was filled with chatter and laughter while everyone ate dinner with Clyde, showing their appreciation by simply being present. The hosting of the presentation was done by the L’Anse Legion  alongside the Alston and L’Anse VFWs. Kristina Waara, L’Anse VFW Commander, presented Elmblad with the quilt itself, alongside Jim Sullivan of the Alston VFW, who helped to get the evening set up. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Area teacher saves dog trapped on the ice

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CANINE SAVIOR–Mariah Dunham, a teacher at Baraga Area Schools, pictured with her own furry friends, was walking her dog on Jan. 3, 2024, when suddenly another walker’s dog fell through the ice near the pow wow grounds. Braving the cold water, she smashed a path through the ice to get to the animal and brought it to safety.
by Porter Davis “I considered it just an act of human kindness”. That was the very first thing that Baraga Area Schools’ Teacher Mariah Dunham said when she was asked to share her daring rescue of a dog trapped on the ice. Risking life and limb (literally) to save another, Dunham  attributed her actions to just being in the right place at the right time, but her story proves otherwise. Wednesday, Jan. 3, was just any other day for Dunham, a walk by the pow wow grounds with her dog, enjoying the decent weather before last weekend’s snowstorm. A friend had suggested Dunham go on the road towards the beach, and she met some people walking their own dogs along the path. The dogs all greeted each other, and the walkers went on their way. Dunham kept on walking and was nearly to her vehicle when she heard screaming from behind and felt a compulsion to run back. Before she did, she secured her dog in a vehicle and spotted a tow strap. Dunham felt an intuition that she couldn’t entirely explain, saying it was, “Just some divine intervention. We never go down that path and we just happened to be there, and something told me to grab that tow strap and put my dog away.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Little Eagles promotes partnering with families

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A LITTLE GAME–of duck/duck/goose is going on here and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community College’s (KBOCC) Little Eagles, Migiziinsag, students are enjoying the fun time, though are also learning while playing.
by Melissa Newland With the year almost halfway over, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community College’s (KBOCC) Little Eagles, Migiziinsag, staff, students and their families continue to prepare for next year when the students attend kindergarten. “It’s crazy that our year is almost at the halfway mark,” noted teacher Melissa Paulson. She stated the Little Eagles program continues to partner with each family to help their child prepare for kindergarten, with  social/emotional skills being a crucial element of a child’s growth. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.