News

Michigan DNR conservation officers were called to help a woman, four children, and a dog who were stuck in deep snow on a seasonal county road in Northern Luce County late on Saturday, April 8. Stephanie Rene Knapp, 37, and the children were reportedly travelling north to view the northern lights when their minivan ran out of gas along Luce County Road 407.

The Do Not Cut or Wound Oak Trees period runs from April 15th through July 15th. This is to prevent the spread of oak wilt (OW) disease. This is the most critical timeline when the Nitudulid beetle (aka picnic beetle, a native beetle) is most active, which is the primary way OW disease is spread in Michigan. The picnic beetle is drawn to the scent of an open wound on oaks for purposes of feeding on the sap. If the beetle has already come into contact with the OW fungus, the spores are introduced and a new infection site develops.

The USDA Forest Service plans to conduct prescribed burns on the Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forests, covering a total of 8,938 acres. The prescribed burns will be carried out on 5 projects, covering 5,373 acres in the East Zone of Hiawatha, 22 projects, covering 3,328 acres in the West Zone of Hiawatha, and 18 projects, covering 237 acres in Ottawa. The burns will be conducted between late April and early fall, subject to weather conditions.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PRNL) and surrounding communities welcomed 925,685 visitors to the park in 2022. This was a decrease from 2021, but showed an upward trend from pre-pandemic numbers of 7.23 percent.

The Munising City Commission has unanimously approved a new zoning ordinance for the municipality at the city commission meeting on Wednesday, April 5. The vote come after the ordinance was tabled at the previous meeting on Monday, March 20, after concerns were brought up with electric vehicle chargers, known as EV chargers.

During a House of Representatives session on March 28, Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-1) voiced his unwavering endorsement for H.R. 1, also known as the Lower Energy Costs Act. Specifically, he expressed his support for the provision that would preserve the established prohibition on drilling in the Great Lakes.

The Alger Conservation District held its annual meeting on Thursday, March 23 at Gallery Coffee Company. Voter attendance was less than half compared to 2022, but it was already scheduled before the MHSAA semifinal game. It was primarily an informational meeting, but board members were elected. John Highlen was elected to a four-year term and elected chairman of the board. Hans Eriksen was elected to a two-year term to replace Diane Kay Hougaboom and Hilary Ludecke will replace Liz Weiner in a one-year term. All ran unopposed and were elected unanimously.

Munising Public Schools Superintendent Mike Travis speaks to community members on Wednesday, April 5 in the Munising Middle/High School cafeteria. Roughly 30 people attended, curious about the upcoming sinking fund millage, which is on the May ballot for municipalities in the MPS district. The sinking fund is a millage that would only be available for infrastructure-related projects like building maintenance or distance learning.