OSF Healthcare St Francis Hospital and Medical Group has reopened its COVID-19 Triage Line in response to a growing number of Coronavirus cases in the area. Joanna Wilbee-Amis, community relations coordinator, says the triage line is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling 906-233-4225. They can answer questions about COVID-19 symptoms, testing or an exposure.

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Dumping fees at the Delta County Landfill are rising Wednesday to help pay for a new cell that is expected to cost more than anticipated. Administration Manager Teri Rabitoy says the cost of the new eight-acre cell has more than doubled to $4 million.

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The Sweetgrass and Sage Run Golf Courses at the Island Resort and Casino are seeing tremendous growth as the casino is building a new hotel wing. Casino General Manager Tony Mancilla says they had 24,000 rounds of golf last year. This year, they are anticipating 29,000 to 30,000 rounds of golf at the two golf courses.

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With the rise of COVID-19 cases in Delta County, Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties is recommending that masks be worn in all public buildings by those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated. Health Officer Mike Snyder says the new recommendation may not be widely known.

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The Northern Lights YMCA has moved to its new facility at the former M-TEC Center at Bay College. It is located on North 30th Street in Escanaba. Executive Director Gary Nash says the reaction of the new facility from members has been amazing.

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Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties says COVID-19 numbers in Delta County are more than double than they were a year ago and Delta County leads the Upper Peninsula with 167 confirmed cases during the past two weeks. Health Officer Mike Snyder says he does not have a good answer as to why Delta County often leads the U.P. Covid-19 cases.

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The Upper Peninsula State Fair ended last night with fireworks in front of the grandstands. The week-long event was blessed with great weather, big crowds and lots of different activities.

Ann Harrington, Schoolcraft County’s representative on the U.P. State Fair Authority, says they have come a long way since they took the fair over from the state 12 years ago.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she was often reminded of the Finnish term SISU as she traveled the U.P. this week as part of her jobs tour. At the U.P. State Fair yesterday, she said the fair is another example of the people in the Upper Peninsula overcoming adversity to succeed.

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Hospitals in Green Bay and Marquette are currently not taking patients from other hospitals like OSF Healthcare St Francis Hospital & Medical Group because of a growing number of COVID-19 patients. Delta Country Administrator Emily DeSalvo says it is a big concern.

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Both Upper Peninsula Honor Flights have now been cancelled for September. Organizer Scott Knauf says the board decided to postpone the later honor flight in September until next May. The earlier flight in September had already been cancelled.

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Fairgoers flocked to the opening night of the U.P. State Fair when it opened at 5 p.m. last night. Vickie Micheau, executive director of the Delta Chamber of Commerce and fair manager, says record attendance for an opening night was reached by 8 p.m.

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The U.P. State Fair in Escanaba opens tonight and runs through next Sunday. Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties says it has been working with the organizers of the fair on COVID-19 precautions.

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The drive thru COVID-19 testing center at OSF HealthCare St Francis Hospital & Medical Group is reopening to handle an increase in COVID-19 cases in Delta County.

The hospital says COVID-19 tests are available at the drive thru for those who are asymptomatic, not experiencing any symptoms, and want to be tested. No appointment is needed. Testing is available Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m.

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A major highlight at the U.P. State Fair next week is the grandstand acts. Although free with admission to the fair, Bailey McDade says there is seating closer to the stage during all of the grandstand events for just $10.

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High water levels during the past two years caused major problems with Gladstone’s wastewater system. Now that water levels on the Great Lakes are down, Gladstone City Manager Eric Buckman says wastewater discharge in Gladstone dropped 40 percent. That means ground water is no longer seeping into the city wastewater system in large amounts.

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Delta County Clerk Nancy Przewrocki says she was aware that Delta County’s 2020 Presidential election results were being used as evidence in a lawsuit challenging the outcome in Michigan but was not sure of the actual allegations until a CNN producer called to talk with her about it.

Przewrocki says it started with a phone call and ended with CNN reporter Drew Griffin in Escanaba for an interview.

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Escanaba is starting the process of changing utility meters throughout the city. The Escanaba City Council last week authorized the purchase advanced metering infrastructure for electric and water meters. Mayor Marc Tall says it is a major undertaking.

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The delta variant of COVID-19 has been identified in Delta County. Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties says a case of the more contagious virus has been confirmed.

Health Officer Mike Snyder says the delta variant of COVID-19 is highly contagious and increases the risk of illness and outbreaks.

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Get a COVID-19 vaccine shot and enter the U.P. State Fair for free. That is what Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties is offering for fairgoers this year.

The agency will be giving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Tuesday and Wednesday during the fair to anyone 18 years and older. Recipients will be reimbursed the $10 daily admission fee.

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The delta variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Marquette County but not yet in Delta County, but Delta County Administrator Emily DeSalvo told the county board last night that COVID-19 numbers are on the rise the county.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she does not intend to reinstate a mask mandate despite Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for those who are vaccinated to wear masks indoors in areas of high COVID-19 transmission. State Rep. Beau LaFave says that is because Whimter wants to run for re-election and mask mandates aren’t popular.

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The National Trappers Convention is returning to Escanaba in 2023. Roy Dahlgren with the Upper Peninsula Trappers Association made the pitch at the national event in Iowa.

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