The number of suicides and suicide attempts have not lessen as winter doldrums continues to take its toll on those in the area with mental health issues. First Lt. Gregg Cunningham, post commander of the Gladstone State Police Post, says law enforcement continues to respond to suicide cases at what appears to be an increasing rate.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

The Bay College Board of Trustees approved plans for the Northern Lights YMCA to move forward on $6.4 expansion of the Y facility in Escanaba. YMCA Director Gary Nash told the college board last night that they are in need of improving the member experience, especially the social part which right now consists of lawn chairs in the hallway. The new entrance to the Y, south of the new college lockerrooms, includes a social area, a basketball court, locker rooms and activity rooms. 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

Is there a need for low to mid income housing in Escanaba? That is what the Escanaba City Council wants to find out before moving ahead on rezoning property near Walmart that would allow for a proposed $7.2 million multi-family residential building. Councilmember Peggy OConnell has concerns about the project but is willing to allow it if it shown that there is a need for more low income housing in the city.
 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

Firefighters fought a house fire at 1219 1st Ave North in Escanaba for nearly eight hours last night and early this morning.  Escanaba Public Safety says the fire was reported at 11 p.m. The back end of the home was fully in flames when officers arrived. No injuries were reported but the home was a total loss.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

Several people spoke at last Thursday's Escanaba city council meeting about the need for more upper end housing such as condos, especially as the city's population ages. It came out of a low to middle income housing proposal that was discussed for Noth 26th Street near Walmart. Escanaba City Manager Patrick Jordan says they are working to identify property that could be used for possible development like the city and county did for the former jail and chamber of commerce sites.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

The Escanaba Ciity Council delayed a decision on a $7.2 million multi-family residential building for North 26th Street near Walmart where Woda Cooper Companies is looking to build a 70-unit complex called Bay de Noc Apartments. Councilwoman Peggy O'Connell is concerned that low income housing might not be appropriate for that part of town.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

Developer proposals will soon be collected for Gladstone's North Shore Improvement Project. The Gladstone Downtown Development Authority is expecting to issue a request for qualifications in the next two weeks asking developers for proposals for the North Shore. DDA Director Ron Miaso says the city has a vision that has been discussed since 2017. Now they want to see if there is a developer that would like to fulfill that vision.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

The Escanaba Traffic Safety has recommended that two traffic lights on Ludington Street in downtown Escanaba be removed. The recommendation now goes to the city council for approval. The lights to be removed would be at 5th Street and 12th Street. Escanaba Public Safety Director Rob LaMarche says removing the lights would reduce accidents at those intersections.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

Students at the Escanaba High School are learning how to drive on ice and snow this week as part of Safe Winter Driving Week. Lisa Valentine is the advisor for the group Strive For A Safer Drive at the school. She says the goal is to promote safe winter driving habits.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

The director of the Department of Natural Resources strongly criticized State Senator Ed McBroom and the state Senate for rejecting Anna Mitterling's appointment to the Natural Rescources Commission. Dan Eichinger told members of the Upper Peninsula Sportsmen's Alliance Saturday in Iron Mountain that the vote to reject Mitterling was shameful. McBroom says he had issues with the way Mittlering answered questions during the Advice and Consent hearing, especially on her decisionmaking process.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

The annual deer camp survey taken during the firearm season in November shows a slight decrease in the number of bucks taken in the Upper Peninsula in 2019.  Wildlife Technician Colter Lubben with the Department of Natural Resources office in Escanaba says 26 percent of the hunters who reponded took a buck this past season compared to 33 percent in 2018. He says that indicates that the deer population may have been down.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

Proxima Management Group says a three year moratorium of new lodging facilities in Escanaba is vital to the success of the proposed $18.3 million development at the site of the former jail and chamber of commerce buildings. Ravi Patel says city council support of a moratorium would show their committement to the project.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

Judy Akkala has been chosen to fill a vacant seat on the Gladstone City Commission. She was sworn in Monday and participated in her first meeting. As the former city manager of Munising and Marquette, Commissioner Brad Mantella says Akkala was an easy choice for the commission.

Delta County Sheriff Ed Oswald says a report intended to reduce prison popualtions in the state is a good starting point but he worries it goes too far in letting people get away with non-violent crimes.
 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

The Escanaba City Council has backed the mayor's ability to make committee and commmission appointments without a vote of the council. Councilman Tyler DuBord says he doesn't have a problem with the mayor suggesting appointments but that the council should ratify those proposed to serve.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

The Escanaba City Council is considering a payment in lieu of taxes ordinance for a company looking to build low income housing between Walmart and Meyer.  Craig Patterson with Woda Cooper Companies is looking to build a 4-story, 70 unit $14 million housing complex on 2.5 acres of land behind Walmart.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

Two more people will be graduating from the Delta County Drug Court Monday. Delta County Administrator Emilie DeSalvo says they have completed and very long, rigerous and life changing process for the participants and their families. DeSalvo says it is important to recognize the participants in a formal ceremony for completing the program.

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

Delta County Commissioners last night approved a Second Amendment Sanctuary County resolution on a 3-2 split vote. Commissioner Dave Moyle who introduced the resolution says he wants lawmakers to know where they stand on Second Amendment rights. Commissioner Teresa Nelson says she felt the resolution was a political manuever meant to divide the board during an election year. 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

Escanaba Downtown Development Authority Director Ed Legault is leaving the DDA to take a new position as executive director of the Delta County Economic Development Alliance. He replaces TJ Thomas who left for a job with Race Driven. Legault says he took the job to continue serving the community and help with economic devevlopment in the area. 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

An 80-year-old Gladstone woman was rescued from a fire at a house in Gladstone Sunday afternoon. Gladstone Public Safety arrived at the home on Cliffs Drive before 5 p.m. with the woman still inside. They entered the home and brought her out. She was transported to OSF st Francis Hostpial and airlifted to St Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee.
 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast