Copper Country Today

Happy New Year. Today's topic is the upcoming midterm election and, more specifically the Secure MI Vote imitative proposed by Republican lawmakers in Lansing. William Keith from the Houghton County Democratic Party and his GOP counterpart, Dan Holcomb, weigh in. 

Two guests in one segment. CLK Rotary member Joel Keranen talks about the group's efforts to remember the victims of the Italian Hall tragedy. Alexandria Guth discusses becoming treasurer of the Copper Country Humane Society and discusses 12 Pets of Christmas and Raise the Woof.

Horst Schmidt and Ginny Hemmer stop by to help you figure out how to responsibly get rid of your extra Christmas waste. From the tree to packaging, there is an option for all of it.

Houghton High School senior Maria Velat talks about coping with transverse myelitis, and learning to still compete athletically with the help of a wheelchair. She is working with Athletic Director John Sanregret to petition the MHSAA to allow adaptive athletes to take part in track and field, among other sports. 

Learn more about the Elaine Bacon Literacy Project, which helps families of foreign students and faculty improve their English. Beth Flynn and Denise Heikinen discuss the joys of cultural exchange, the longlasting bonds formed, and some of the more humorous aspects of the experience. Learn more about the project here .

Houghton County Commissioners Tom Tikkanen and Glenn Anderson discuss the efforts of the Recreation Authority and what the news surrounding the Houghton-Douglass Falls will mean for one of the area's most prominent natural attractions. They also talk about the serious efforts underway to put a second span across the Portage Canal.

Hancock native Shannon Perkins talks about her experience as a survivor of a traumatic car crash, and the consequences she is seeing related to Michigan's auto insurance reform. The UP is losing facilities who specialize in treating those with neurological and other brain injuries.

State Senator Ed McBroom and State Representative Greg Markkanen discuss a range of issues from education and school safety to reciprocity agreements for the lumber industry operating between Michigan and Wisconsin.

Judy Evert from the Chassell Improvement Association stops by to talk Old-Fashioned Christmas happening this Friday and Saturday. Families will love the community tree lighting and a visit from Santa Claus. The next day there is lots of events at the Chassell Heritage Center, a home tour, breakfast with Chassell Schools, and a craft bazaar featuring over 80 vendors.

Founders Laurel and Melissa Maki discuss 31 Backpacks, an organization dedicated to ensuring nutritious meals for less fortunate students when they are not at school. There are volunteer opportunities for their weekly packs, providing food over each weekend, and for The Big Pack, designed to handle needs during the holiday break.

Sherry Middlemis-Brown discusses the Winter Coat Drive and Angel Tree program, both happening now at the Copper Country Angel Mission based in Calumet.

Youthwork UP is known for its summer projects, but this year they will have a crew going throughout the winter in the Calumet area. Crew Leader Kevin Weir discusses.

The Village of Laurium is working on a Master Plan. Council President John Sullivan stops by to talk about it. 

The Grinch is helping to turn Hancock into Whoville this year. Get the details and learn how you can help on Wednesday, November 24th courtesy of Carol Freeman and Deb Mann.

Wildlife Biologist John DePue and Conservation Officer Dave Miller talk about this year's rifle season. There are no major rule changes, but antlerless permits are authorized for a portion of the listening area.

It's never too early in the Christmas season to talk Toy for Tots. Jim Mattson from the Marine Corps League - Keweenaw Detachment talks about organizing this year's campaign.

Grant Township Supervisor Scott Wendt has brought the idea of the Keweenaw Collaborative Heartlands Park from pipe dream to possibility in just three months. Learn more about the proposed 32,500 acre park. If realized, it would be the third largest in all of Michigan.

Sue Collins and Stefka Hritsova from Michigan Tech's Humanities Department have a year-long series on bad information and how it is a problem for media and public health officials. An exhibit is set up at the Van Pelt and Opie Libraries until November 21st. Several events are scheduled, having started last week with a talk by Harvard's Joan Donovan.

Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe discusses recent business trends, revitalization efforts in several area municipalities, and the upcoming Holiday Hoopla fundraiser for technical education scholarships.

The Copper Country Junior Hockey Association needs more youth referees. At one point last week, Marc Norton said he had only seven people to assign games to. If numbers don't rise, it could result in contests being canceled.  A referee seminar begins tonight at Calumet High School. Learn more about enrolling at USAHockey.com.

The ghosts and goblins are down at the smelter this year. Manager Tom Wright from the Quincy Mine Hoist Association talks about the Halloween special, what life was like working at the smelter, and gives an update on how things are going at the mine site as well, including the recent Music In the Mine concerts put on by Michigan Tech. 

New Calumet Theatre Company Board President Dan Jamison talks about how he got involved with the organization and the new leadership's efforts to bring the venue back to prominence following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charlie Klein from the Houghton County Sheriff's Department and trainer Sara McCormick from the Wood County Sheriff's Department in Wisconsin talk about Project Lifesaver. The technology is used to help locate missing persons with conditions like autism and Down's Syndrome, among others.

Pat Coleman from North of 45 LLC talks about the urban planning process and how it is being utilized to find a replacement for the downtown parking deck in Houghton.

Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Task Force President Stephanie Krieger discusses her organization and what is on the agenda at three separate presentations she is giving in the Copper Country this week.