Happy Anniversary
Superior Chronicle!

We wish the Chronicle a Happy Anniversary and look forward to many many more.

Read More

DNR Rejects Hovey Tennis Courts!

UPPCO's Reservoirs Being
Lowered for Spring Runoff

Junior Hockey Nights
Friday and Saturday
at Houghton County Arena

UPPCO  To Sell Lands to Ontonagon Businessman

Officials of Upper Peninsula Power Company, a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group (NYSE: TEG), today announced that it has accepted an offer to purchase the bulk of the private, non-project lands it owns adjacent to the Prickett and Victoria reservoirs. Some of the lands were retained for potential expansion of project boundaries for hydro operation needs. Terms of the offer from Upper Peninsula businessman Norman Pestka were not announced. The parties expect to close the deal early in February 2009.

"As we said when we originally announced our intentions to sell non-project land, UPPCO's priority is its utility business," said Keith Moyle, UPPCO Vice President and General Manager. "We are not interested in keeping land we don't need for operations."

Moyle was not certain of Pestka's plans for the land but said, "He's in the construction, wood products, and real estate business."

Water Main Break Closes
Ironwood Schools, Disrupts Supply

Both Ironwood Public Schools and St. Andrews Acadamy will be closed for today due to the rupture of a 16" water main

A major water main break in the City of Ironwood,  as left many Ironwood residents without water.  Most city residents are are experiencing very low water pressure.

The water main break occurred last evening around 9:00pm. Officials were informed that  a large water leak was discovered on Lake Street on the south side of Cloverland.

According to city officials city crews have been working on the break in the 16" main all through the night. The IPSD and the Ironwood Volunteer Fire Department have been assisting  where flooding conditions have existed. The Red Cross has also been on the scene providing assistence where needed.

Residents that are in the EMERGENCY need of water can go to the Ironwood Public Safety Department at 123 W. McLeod Avenue. If possible, bring in a container for the water. If you are unable to leave your home, you may contact the department at (906) 932-1234 and water will be delivered to you.
 

City officials could not estimate when the situation would be brought back to normal.
Information can be obtained at 932-5050.

Officials are warning residents that do have water, boil it before using it for cooking or consumption.

Get in Touch with your Finnish Side

January 8, 2009 -HANCOCK Learn the basics of the Finnish language in the Spring 2009 Finlandia University class, Elementary Finnish I, taught by Finnish national Kaisa Randolph. Students will engage in lots of conversation, read short texts and comics, learn some basic grammar, sing favorite Finnish hits, and watch popular Finnish shows. The class may even enjoy a visit or two from celebrity Finnish guests. No previous Finnish language knowledge required, just bring your sisu. The class meets four days per week in Mannerheim Hall, Room 122, from 9:15 to 10:10 a.m. Students and community members are welcome. The class may be audited. For more information, contact Kaisa Randolph at 487-7338 or kaisa.randolph@finlandia.edu. To register for the class, contact Kitti Loukus at 487-7208 or kitti.loukus@finlandia.edu.

Houghton County Recipient of MDOT  Grant

MDOT announces transportation enhancement grants that will make improvements in seven Michigan counties January 8, 2009 -- State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle today announced that projects in seven Michigan counties will receive $6.3 million in federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) grants. The TE grants will help fund 4.8 miles of road and landscaping improvements and 20.6 miles of biking and walking trails in Gladwin, Houghton, Huron, Kent, Otsego, Wayne and Wexford counties. The combined cost of the nine projects is $10.6 million, with more than $4.3 million being contributed in local match. "We are pleased to be able to work together with these cities, townships and downtown development authorities to make these important projects happen," said Steudle. "Enhancing quality of life creates benefits for residents and businesses alike when communities are strategic about improving streets and roadways and expanding non-motorized transportation options." Under federal law, 10 percent of federal surface transportation funds are set aside for TE projects. Administered by MDOT, the grants enable communities to invest in streetscapes and non-motorized trails. TE funds provide a maximum of 80 percent of the money required for each project, with the remainder coming from state and local government and the private sector. Houghton County In partnership with the city of Houghton, MDOT will make enhancements to Houghton's downtown business route, US-41 (Sheldon Avenue) from Franklin Street to Bridge Street, near the approach to the Portage Lake lift bridge. In addition to adding decorative sidewalks and historic-style light fixtures, MDOT will restore the historic nature of Sheldon Avenue by turning it back to a brick street. The work will be done in conjunction with a city water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer project next year. The project budget is $3,039,138, including $999,877 in federal TE funds, $401,014 from MDOT, and $1,638,247 from the city. Other projects, listed by county

Free Radon Test Kits at Western UP District Health Dept.

PRESS RELEASE Hancock - January 5, 2009  January is National Radon Action Month – Have you tested your home for Radon? By: Lynne Madison, R.S. January is National Radon Action Month and in our community, the Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department is offering free radon test kits to encourage home owners to protect their families from exposure to radon gas. Radon exposure kills an estimated 20,000 people in the U.S. each year and is a significant risk in the Western Upper Peninsula where 10% of the homes tested in Houghton and Gogebic Counties have elevated radon levels. About 4% of the homes tested in Baraga, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon Counties were also found to have elevated radon levels. The easily preventable health risk of living with prolonged radon exposure can be dramatically reduced by using a free radon test kit and, if necessary, inexpensive home repair. READ MORE

The Last Day of 2008

The last day of 2008 had sunshine and rainbows near Wakefield, Michigan during the morning hours.  Temperatures were just a little above zero (2 degrees to be exact).   These photos were taken facing east....on the west end of Sunday Lake.   Wednesday, December 31, 2008.  photo by Linda Graham

Finnish, Kantele Classes Begin Soon

Date: December 30, 2008 HANCOCK - Have you always wanted to learn Finnish? Or perhaps you'd like to brush up your Finnish language knowledge. Would you like to learn to play the kantele? Now's your chance! Finnish language and kantele classes will be offered at the Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center beginning in the New Year. Three 10-week Finnish language classes begin the week of January 12. All are held at the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock. · Randolph will also offer a continuation of her fall beginning course. New students with some Finnish knowledge are also welcome. Classes begin Tuesday, January 13, at 7:00 p.m. · Hannu Leppanen, also a Finnish national, will teach an intermediate Finnish course beginning Tuesday, January 13, at 7:00 p.m. The cost of any of the Finnish courses is $50 per person, per class. All students must register in advance, including continuing students. Starting in February, 5-string and 10-string kantele classes will begin. · Kay Seppala is again teaching 10-string kantele, with the first class on Monday, February 2, at 7:00 p.m. · Adrienne Hilman will instruct a 5-string kantele class, which begins Thursday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m. The 8-week kantele classes cost $40.00 per person, per class. Students are urged to register in advance. For more information or to register for the community enrichment classes, call Dave Maki at 906-487-7549. Hear Melvin Kangas playing Kentele

Town$hip Clo$e$ Fi$cal Year
Ironwood - December 31, 2008 Newly elected trustee, Cathy Maki represents the township on the Waste-Management Board. After her most recent meeting at the WMB she advised the the Township Trustees that Wal-Mart is sending their garbage to Ashland and not to the local transfer station. The cost for waste removal for the general public could be kept down if Wal-Mart and other commercial entities in our area would dispose of the waste at the local transfer station. It was decided to draft a letter to Wal-Mart bringing this to their attention and asking them to consider using the local transfer station. The draft of the letter will be presented at the next meeting. The Board of Trustees also unanimously approved the annual budget amendment re aligning expenses prior to the close of this fiscal year, December 31, 2008. The Amendment is required by state law; Section 28 of the Charter Township Act. The budget was adjusted by $610,591.  It was a reapportionment, that is neither an addition to nor a decrease to the original budget.
Listen to Meeting

Grants Available for Habitat Projects on Ontonagon River Watershed

Upper Peninsula Power Company For Release: 12/29/2008 *Houghton, MI* – Beginning January 1, 2009, Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO), a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group (NYSE: TEG), will accept applications for grants to fund habitat improvement projects and studies in the Ontonagon River watershed. Grant requests must be less than $10,000. All grants would need to be matched by a 25 percent contribution from in-kind or other sources. The deadline for applications is February 1, 2009. The grants will be funded by a portion of the Mitigation Enhancement Fund (MEF), which UPPCO maintains for the Bond Falls Project as part of the Bond Falls Settlement Agreement. The goal of the MEF is to provide tangible, measurable improvements to the aquatic and terrestrial environments in the Ontonagon River watershed. Projects may include: * aquatic surveys and monitoring * wildlife and fisheries habitat improvements on streams and lakes in the watershed, including wildlife structures, hydrographic mapping, and wild rice restoration * nuisance-plant inventory and control * soil erosion mitigation, including stream or reservoir bank rehabilitation Applications will be reviewed and grants awarded by the Bond Falls Implementation Team (BFIT). Authors of proposals are encouraged to contact BFIT resource agency representatives with technical questions. A complete list of resource contacts and full proposal guidelines is available on UPPCO's Web site - www.uppco.com/info/ontonagon_guidelines.asp <http://www.uppco.com/info/ontonagon_guidelines.asp>. Proposals received after the February 1, 2009, deadline will not be accepted. For More Information, Contact: * Shawn C. Puzen Environmental Consultant Integrys Business Support, LLC 920-433-1094 * UPPCO Customer Service 800-562-7680

School Districts Fear Budget Cuts

Declines in state revenue could create deficits

January 8, 2009 The January revenue conference -- when lawmakers meet to begin deciding how much money the state will have for next year's budget -- has an ominous feel for many Michigan school administrators this year. They gratefully accepted an early Christmas present from the state, when Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced that midyear budget cuts would not affect schools. But with 54% of Michigan's districts holding less than the recommended 15% of their budget in savings, and about one third of the districts approaching dangerously low levels of savings, administrators will be nervously watching the conference -- which starts Jan. 9 -- and hoping there will be enough money in next year's budget to keep their programs going.  READ MORE More than two dozen school districts and charter schools began the 2008-09 school year with a deficit.

Lake Gogebic 1st Annual Ice Fishing Tournament
Bergland - December 29, 2008 Steve's Sporting Goods in Bergland is sponsoring its first annual ice fishing tournament this weekend. The fishing begins at 9:00am Saturday, January 3rd and continues until 1:00pm Sunday, January 4th. Night fishing is permissible under the tournament rules. Prizes are: Biggest Walleye 1st= $1,000 2nd= $500 3rd = $250 Biggest Perch  $250 Biggest Northern $100 Ice fishing has come around with Lake Gogebic freezing over. According to Steve's Sporting Goods "the ice is solid and there have been a lot of reports that the walleye bite is great. A lot of 13 and 14 inchers, but also a lot of keepers. There have been a few reports of anglers catching perch in the deeper waters." CALL (906) 365-5600 For more details and complete rules. Check with local authorities for ice conditions!

Fabulous Ewe: Wool Rug Masters

Hancock - December 28, 2008 On a recent trip to a Finlandia U. art show, it was suggested that we visit the Cooper Country Art Center on Quincy Street. We immediately went to the Art Center following the F.U. show. Showing at that time in the Kerredge Gallery was a Fiber Art Exhibit "Fabulous Ewe: Wool Rug Masters" The exhibit showcased the work of three local artists, Jessica Speer, Wil Freyberger and Lori Oikkarinen. The three artist's works are quite different from one another and serve as a fine example of the variety of art within this ancient art form. Pictured above is the curator for the show  Rhonda Jones a former Ironwood resident, now living in Hancock. Rhonda is an accomplished fiber artist herself, as evidenced by her artwork on display in the gallery. Pictured  below is Rhonda's Felted Rock Rug done with needle and wet felt technique. The exhibit is free of charge and will be opened until January 3rd, 2009.  The Art Center is opened Tuesday through Friday from  10:00am until 6pm and on Saturday from 1:00pm until 5:00pm.

Photo above Fiber Art of Will Freyberger, titled "Spiral Galaxy"

Above contrasting the Freyberger work is the subtle piece by Jessica Speer titled "Red, Black and Green"

Das Rheingold,  by Wil Freyberger done with wool and silk on monks cloth

Gotter Dammerung,   "Twilight of the Gods" a wool and silk on monk's cloth, by Wil Freyberger

Happy New Year to All of Our Readers

From the services at Irish Hollow Cemetery to the Moving Viet Nam Wall,  IronwoodInfo provided our readers with complete Memorial and Veterans Day coverage, honoring our nations veterans past and present. We provided fourth of July coverage from several communities never before covered by the media.