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Local News Archives for 2021-03

Newscast Wednesday, March 31, 2021

With Coronavirus numbers climbing among students in Michigan, local school officials are concerned what spring break could mean when students return next week.

 

Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District Superintendent Doug Leisenring says COVID-19 numbers did not jump after the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. He hopes that’s true after spring break as well but he is concerned.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Local governments would be reimbursed for property taxes that the state legislature imposed on them in 2014 when it exempted disabled veterans from paying property taxes on their homes.

 

While State Rep. Beau LaFave says it was good to recognize veterans with the program, it ended up being much more popular than anticipated, costing local governments. He has introduced a bill that would make up the difference.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Monday, March 29, 2021

Area schools are getting ready to ramp up rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 that is now required by the state for student athletes and other school groups.

 

Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District Doug Leisenring says the ISD is receiving 900 tests the first week for seven of the eight schools ini the ISD to administer to students.

 

Listen to Criag Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Friday, March 26, 2021

Fewer people are becoming state troopers which is causing major staffing shortages in the Upper Peninsula as more troopers are retiring from their positions. Negaunee Assistant State Police Post Commander Mark Giannzio says the number one issue they have right now in the U.P. is recruitment.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Thursday, March 25, 2021

What happens in May if Enbridge does not shutdown its Line 5 oil pipeline as ordered by the Governor. DNR Director Dan Eichinger who terminated the easement in November says they will have to decide what their course of action might be if Enbridge does not shutdown as ordered in May.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Wednesday, March 24, 2021

With the uncertainty of last year’s budget because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gladstone City Commissioner Brad Mantilla says city revenues are good. The Gladstone City Commission Monday approved a 2021-22 budget before the April 1 deadline.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Tuesday, March 23, 2021

The Sheriff of downstate Genesee County says a U.P. Human Oppression Strike Team has been formed based on a program started in his county that targets human trafficking and child prostitution. Sheriff Christopher Swanson says the Strike Team last week arrested six people between the age of 32 and 64 in Marquette County as a part of Operation Northern Exposure.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast, Monday, March 22, 2021

Escanaba will benefit from more than $1.2 million it will be receiving from the federal government as part of the COVID-19 relief package. Escanaba Mayor Marc Tall says he doesn’t want to speculate on how the city might use the money.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Friday, March 19, 2021

After a year of little activity because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gladstone may be poised for a growth in economic activity this year.

 

Gladstone Downtown Development Authority Director Ron Miaso says the city is seeing more permit applications and he has been talking with others interested in several business opportunities in the city.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Thursday, March 18, 2021

Delta County’s finance committee and controller will be looking at options on how to use the more than $7 million the county will be receiving from the federal government as part of the COVID-19 stimulus package. It is part of $56.3 million going to counties in the U.P.

 

Delta County Administrator Emily DeSalvo says she knew the county was suppose to receive some funds but she was still surprised at the amount.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Dan Harrington, owner of U.P. Propane, was surprised when a propane security plan for the Upper Peninsula was announced last Friday. He says he told state officials a few days earlier that the plan to transport propane to the U.P. by rail would not supply enough fuel to the region.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Delta County Sheriff Ed Oswald says law enforcement will have new guidelines it will have to follow starting April 1 that affects both road patrol and jail staff. Oswald says road patrol will be required to write more citations rather than make arrests for minor crimes.

 

 

Newscast Monday, March 15, 2021

The state Friday released a propane “security plan” for residents in the Upper Peninsula who would be affected by the closure of Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered the pipeline closed by mid-May.

 

The 5-point plan calls for $10 million in new railroad infrastructure for delivery of propane at U.P. Propane’s facility in Escanaba and a propane terminal in Kincheloe and $5 million to increase propane storage in the U.P.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Friday, March 12, 2021

The Fire Station Cannabis Co. announced it will be opening a recreational marijuana store in the summer at the Island Oasis in Hannahville. Co-owner Stosh Wasik says it is an exciting location for them because of the tourism draw and the overall economic impact potential for the Upper Peninsula.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's ful newscast

 

 

Newscast, Thursday, March 11, 2021

Delta County held its first jury trial since the COVID-19 pandemic began a year ago. Six jurors plus alternates were chosen for a case in Probate Court from a pool of 30 potential jurors under new Coronavirus guidelines. Delta County Prosecutor Brett Gardner says the process eased concerns.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Wednesday, March 10, 2021

A Canadian official says keeping Line 5 open is “non-negotiable.” Canada's natural resources minister Seamus O'Regan told a parliamentary panel last week the Canadian government won't let Michigan shut down the Line 5 pipeline. 

 

Both State Rep. Beau LaFave and State Sen. Ed McBroom say they don’t think the Governor will be able to shut the pipeline down in May.

 

Lsten to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Domestic violence and sexual assaults appeared to increase in Delta County during the Coronavirus pandemic. Erin Viau at Tri-County Safe Harbor says they saw more protection orders and need for counseling during the past year.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Monday, March 8, 2021

A major assisted living facility is planned in Escanaba. Darryl Miron, who owns the Lakeview Assisted Living facility in Gladstone is proposing the Parkview facility, a $3 million project. Escanaba Mayor Marc Tall called it good news for the community.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Friday, March 5, 2021

Dickinson County Healthcare received approval for a $16.9 million USDA Rural Development loan to refinance its long-term debt and acquire new equipment.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Thursday, March 4, 2021

Local business leaders say allowing restaurants and bars to open at 50 percent capacity tomorrow will make a difference for those struggling to survive.

 

Mark Ammel, Bobaloon’s Cafe owner and member of the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority, says it has been a difficult time for businesses in the area.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Restaurants can double diners, more people can gather in homes and businesses can allow more customers under new orders to take effect Friday in Michigan. Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel says restaurants and bars can operate at 50 percent capacity and stay open until 11 p.m.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Tuesday, March 2. 2021

Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties says they are attempting to contact everyone on the COVID-19 vaccine wait list and will begin taking appointments again for those who are eligible with an online registration. That information will be available soon on their website, phdm.org.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

Newscast Monday, March 1, 2020

Students have had a more difficult time learning during the COVID-19 pandemic because of closed schools and online instruction. It has lead to more students failing classes across the state.

 

Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District Superintendent Doug Leisenring says that’s true in the U.P. too.

 

Listen to Craig Woerpel's full newscast

 

 

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