News

East Varnum Street Construction: Final Phase Brings Improved Water Flow and Safety to Munising

Munising, MI—The City of Munising is in the final stages of a crucial infrastructure upgrade as road construction continues on East Varnum Street. This project, which spans a two-block section from Park Street to Lynn Street, is directly behind the courthouse. While the road is currently closed to through traffic, vehicles can still access the alley between the courthouse and the Sheriff’s Department.
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Hill Tours U.P. Prison, Supports Corrections Officer Strike

State Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) toured the Alger Correctional Facility yesterday. The tour was taken in order to assess issues facing the Upper Peninsula’s prisons and the corrections officers who work at the facilities. Understaffing at U.P. prisons have resulted in mandatory double shifts, creating dangerous working conditions. Following the tour, Hill issued the following statement: “My visit to the Alger Correctional Facility underscored the urgent need to address the understaffing crisis plaguing Upper Peninsula prisons. Corrections officers are stretched to the limit, working double shifts in conditions that compromise both their safety and the effective management of these facilities. This is unsustainable. I’m proud to have introduced legislation that removes unnecessary barriers to recruitment and advocates for pension reform to ensure our corrections officers receive the support they need and deserve.”
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Sinking Fund Fails to Pass, Leaving Munising Public Schools Facing Financial Challenges

Munising Public Schools’ proposed Sinking Fund did not pass in the August 6, 2024, elections, leaving the district to grapple with how to fund critical building projects and other necessary improvements. The proposal, which aimed to address aging infrastructure, technology upgrades, and transportation needs, failed to secure enough votes, with 762 votes against (51.66%) and 713 votes in favor (48.34%).
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The road to success: Assuring electronic waste recycling access in the Upper Peninsula

It started out as a complaint in 2014 about an unregistered electronics recycler with a pile of televisions behind their place of business. It ended with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2020 spending over $1 million to cleanup over 1.2 million pounds of crushed television tubes left in a warehouse. This was the first hint that the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan was underserved when it came to electronics recycling.
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