The number of suicides and suicide attempts have been growing in the area the past few weeks. Gladstone State Police Post Commander 1st Lt Gregg Cunningham says Troopers are dealing with cases every day. Sucide numbers normally grow this time year but Cunningham says it seems more prevalent this year.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is bypassing the state legislature and funding roads on her own. During her state of the state address last night, she said she is ordering the state Transportation Commission to issue bonds to fund road repair.
 

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A brownfield designation is vital for the redevelopment of the former Super One property in Escanaba, according to Myron Berry with Mountain Engineering in Kingsford. Berry unvieled a proposal yesterday at the Escanaba Browfield Redevelopment Authority meeting to build a motel and retaurants at the site.

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When the Escanaba Junior and Senior High School becomes a 6th through 12th grade building next year, there will be one principal instead of two. Escanaba School Superintendent Coby Fletcher says they will also put in place an assistant principal and guidance counselor for 6th through 8th grades and 9th through 12th grades. Fletcher says it will help 6th grade students better undstand what is available in the later grades such as the early middle college program.

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The Escanaba Downtown Development Authority Board approved a resoultion in support a three-year moritorium on new hotels in Escanaba that is requested by Proxima Management Group to build a new hotel and retail complext at the site of the former county jail. The project is within the DDA district. DDA Director Ed Legault says the board wanted to let the city council know that they support Proxima's request for the moritoiurm. 

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The Gladstone Downtown Development Authority plans to begin the process of finding a developer for the North Shore Development starting the first week in February. DDA Director Ron Miaso says they will be working with their consultant to write a Request for Qualifications. The city is looking to build housing and retail on 50 acres of its North Shore. Miaso says they expect to get proposals from at least three potential developers.

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The Superior Trade Zone has reorganized to continue its for effort to bring regional economic development to the central U.P. Delta County Administrator Emilie DeSalvo says Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron was elected chair of the trade zone. The Superior Zone was established with special legilsation in 2014. 

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Hazardous material on property in the Bayview Location including the former road commission building has been removed. Rory Mattson with the Delta Conservation District told the Delta County Board of Commissioners last night that they are now going for permits to clean up the Escanaba River.

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With Escanaba's electrical rates contracted out to 2030, Escanaba Electric Superintendent Mike Furmanski says there is a lot certainty in the city's energy costs. Furmanski talked last week with the Escanaba Electric Advisory Committee on the city's capacity needs for 2024 and beyond. 

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Homes in Escanaba continue to struggle with flooding during the winter months due to high ground water levels. Escanaba City Manager Patrick Jordan says that is causing problems for the city's sewer system. The city moving ahead plans to expand the waterwater plant to handle additional flowage but Jordan says the state now wants the city to address its underground sewer system as well.

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Proxima Management Group has requested a 3-year moratorium on any new hotel/motel construction within the City of Escanaba.  The city council took no action last night. Mayor Marc Tall said he wants to learn more about the request.

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The Hannahville Indian Community Tribal Council approved a $30 million expansion of the Island Resort and Casino.  The expansion will add up to 147 additional hotel rooms. General Manager Tony Mancilla says it will be added to the current Palm Tower to create an "L" shape.

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More than 100 people packed the Delta County special meeting last to address a resolution that commissioners are considering to make Delta County a 2nd Amendment sancuary county. The resolution presented last night says the board affirms its support for the Delta County Sheriff and Prosecutor, in the excercise of their sound discretion to not enforce against any citizen an unconstitutional firearms law.
 

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The role that guns play in Delta County will be discussed tonight at a special meeting of the Delta County Board of Commissioners. Commissioners are considering a resoultion to make Delta County a 2nd amendment sancuary county. Bob Peterson, who is helping to write the resolution and a member of the Delta County Gun Owners Association, says it is meant to gain the support of elected officials for gun rights.

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The Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District wants to be able to move its Learning Center to the Soo Hill Elementary School building next year. School Superintendent Doug Liesenring says the building will offer more classroom space for programs they currently offer and new ones they want to implement.

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Escanaba is working to re-certify as a Redevelopment Ready Community with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. MEDC gave a presentation yesterday to the Escanaba City Council and several city coards and commsisions on areas they need to improve to re-certify.  One of the requirements drew heated debated from members of the Escanaba Planning Commission. Chair Christine Williams says she is concerned that the state wants the city to forego public hearings on site plans.

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In an effort to fix concerns with addressing problems in Delta County, officials met yesterday to see what can be done. The problem is affecting 9-11 dispatch and causing confusing for law enforcement and first responders. Delta County Administrator Emilie DeSalvo says the goal is to develop a plan before making changes.

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Escanaba may have to do more then expand the capacity of its waterwater plant to prevent further bypass discharges in the future.  Escanaba City Manager Patrick Jordan says they felt that expanding the plant's capacity was the best option but the state may require the city to upgrade its sewer system as well. 

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The Escanaba City Council is holding a joint meeting Thursday with several city commissions and boards to review the process to recertify as a Redevelopment Ready Community.  Escanaba City Manager Patrick Jordan says it will include a presentation on best practices by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The MEDC says the city moved away from best practices. 

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The commander of the Gladstone State Police Post says there are churches in the area that have security in place to be able to respond to an active shooter like the one last week in Texas. 1st Lt. Gregg Cunningham held a meeting a few years ago to encourage churches to have parishioners designated to have a gun in the church to thwart possible shootings. 

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The Escanaba City Council voted against selling a small sliver of city park land to a resident on Lake Shore Drive. The land owners want the three-tenths of an acre for future access and maintenance of their lakefront property. But Glenn VandeWater of Escanaba says transfering city park property requires the vote of city residents. 

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Bay College is researching how it might meet some of its infrstructure needs following the defeat of a millage request in November to fund projects. Bay President Laura Coleman says they still need to decide how to pay for infrstructure projects that need to be done.

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