Six counties have been added to a state emergency declaration due to rapid snowmelt and flooding in April. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer added Alger, Baraga, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette and Ontonagon Counties Friday. Whitmer previously declared state of emergencies in Gobegic and Houghton Counties.

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The Escanaba City Council has set a public hearing for the establishment of an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District or OPRA to include a business at 723 Ludington Street. Lake Effect Distillery is in the process of renovating the former Northern Michigan Bank building. Escanaba City Manager Jim McNeil says the designation would give Lake Effect Distillery a tax break for 12 years.

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The Michigan State Police say Ontonagon, Baraga, and Marquette Counties are expected to be added to the state emergency declaration in the coming days for damage due to flooding caused by rapid snowmelt. All three counties have declared local emergencies.

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The Delta County Board of Commissioners last night voted to table the discussion of a new contract with the Delta Conservation District to operate the county parks through the rest of this year. The conservation district ended it new 10 year contract in January that is to take effect in June. The county board wants the district to continue operating the parks for the rest of this year.

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Early Childhood Education is undergoing changes at the Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District. ISD School Superintendent Doug Leisenring says they are creating two positions to replace Tara Weaver who was killed in a traffic crash in January.

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A contractor at the Escanaba Billerud Mill with a case of blastomycosis has died. Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties says the death is associated with the fungal infection outbreak at the mill. Health Officer Mike Snyder says they are saddened by the news.

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Local officials want those who are victims of crime to know there are resources available to help them get through tough situations whether it’s the Delta County Child Advocacy Center, Tri-County Safe Harbor or the advocates at the Delta County Prosecutor’s office. Prosecutor Lauren Wickman says she wants those who are victims of crime to know that they are there for them.

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Steps are being taken for the development of Gladstone’s North Shore. Gladstone City Manager Eric Buckman says a group of investors from Marquette are looking to build housing on the nearly 30 acres of land on the north shore.

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The Bay College Board of Trustees has approved four finalists in the national search for the College’s next president to replace Laura Coleman, who is retiring on June 30.

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The Bay College Board of Trustees has approved four finalists in the national search for the College’s next president to replace Laura Coleman, who is retiring on June 30.

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Escanaba is looking to apply for funds to help reconstruct its water and wastewater systems. The Escanaba City Council held public hearings last week to apply for state Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund and Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans.

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Delta County will operate its own parks after the end of this year rather than seek an independent contractor. It has been 12 years since the county ran its own park system. At that time, the parks were in poor shape and not well managed. Delta County Chair Dave Moyle says they feel they can do a better job this time by building on the success of the Delta Conservation District.

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Delta County Commissioners last night were split on the qualifications for a new county administrator. On a 3-2 vote, Commissioners are seeking a candidate with at least a Bachelor’s degree in business or finance and three to five years experience. Commissioners Steve Viau and John Malnar opposed the move.

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A 29-year-old Gladstone woman struck by a vehicle Saturday off of M-35 in Delta County has died of her injuries. The Delta County Sheriff’s office says deputies were dispatched just after 8:30 p.m. to M-35 near 25th Rd, for a welfare check on a woman walking in and out of traffic.

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A preliminary onsite Health Hazard Evaluation was conducted last week at the Escanaba Billerrud Mill as Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties continues to investigate an outbreak of blastomycosis among workers at the mill.

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