In November 2018, Michigan voters backed an amendment to the state constitution to have a citizens’ panel rather than legislators handle drawing new district lines for the Michigan Senate, Michigan House of Representatives and U.S. Congress. Now it’s time for those who fought for that ...
In early November, the city of Eastpointe in Macomb County had Michigan’s first-ever ranked-choice election to select two City Council seats. This measure was complex, ineffective and unnecessary. The new election method, in which voters are required to rank all candidates on their ballot ...
From Ironwood to Pickford and everywhere in between, nonprofit organizations in the region are hoping to kick off the giving season on a strong note with GivingTuesday. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, it ...
Bouquet: Now more than ever, each registered voter would do well to make your voice heard. At this recent “off cycle” election in the City of Iron Mountain, about 8.65% of registered voters turned out to place their ballot. The next four-year election in 2020 will no doubt show a larger ...
After the excess of Thanksgiving and Black Friday specials, an event like Small Business Saturday might seem an afterthought. But for local stores fighting to secure a share of consumers’ dollars this holiday season against more massive national retailers — never mind the battle against ...
State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer urges fire safety by encouraging Michiganders to follow a few simple precautions when preparing their meal on Thanksgiving Day, the leading day for home cooking fires. Consumers who use portable deep fryers to cook turkeys should know the dangers involved and ...
The Michigan Supreme Court should embrace the 21st century and adopt a proposed amendment to court rules that would allow cell phones and other electronic devices in state courthouses. The court this month had a public hearing on the matter. The proposal, submitted by the Michigan State ...
It sounds like this might be the right week to be thankful for snowplow drivers, given the forecast for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers has proclaimed today to be Snowplow Driver Appreciation Day, recognizing the many winter maintenance professionals who ...
Bouquet From Bonnie Pelto, Community Connect Free Store, Iron Mountain: This is a very generous community. For the annual Community Connect Event that happened Friday, Nov. 8, we depend on this community’s generosity to provide for our “Free Store” such items as winter clothing; ...
Gathering with family is the hallmark of Thanksgiving. So it’s not surprising that November would be Adoption Month, pointing up the needs of children who might not have a family and home that can provide a stable, loving environment in which to grow up. In fiscal year 2019, 2,038 ...
Tired of hearing about climate change yet? Many people believe a lot more needs to be said. Noted climate activist Dr. David Suzuki spoke at the Nov. 7 celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Superior Watershed Partnership, which has been at the forefront of many climate-related activities ...
Every year, millions of people get sick from foodborne illnesses. For some, it can be like the stomach flu; for others, it can cause a serious health problem and even death. People that are at higher risk are pregnant women, older adults and those with certain health conditions such as cancer, ...
The heating season has arrived, along with more hours of darkness as winter approaches. So, too, have schemes aimed at cheating residents over utility bills at a time they might most need to keep services going — and might be more challenged to pay. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and ...
We heard that legislators were already talking about what to do about snow day debt. In November. Yes, it’s wild that we’re already thinking about surpassing the state-granted six cancellation days for reasons “beyond their control,” such as snow. But it’s also wild that many ...
Bouquet: A big shout out to Dr. John Fornetti and his dedicated, caring and patriotic staff for providing a free dental service for our veterans Saturday, Nov. 9. This is very much appreciated and is something that we should never take for granted. Dr. John has been doing this for a number of ...
We checked the box to vote for no-reason absentee ballots when the question came up in 2018. We weren’t alone. Michigan voters screamingly affirmed the “Promote the Vote” Proposal 3 question two-to-one, putting same-day voter registration and other changes in motion. The Nov. 5 ...
Anything that comes up against the opening of gun deer season in the Upper Peninsula likely is going to be overshadowed. While the ranks of hunters might be waning, Friday’s opening day still will have a fair number of Dickinson County residents out in deer stands and camps for much of the ...
Upper Peninsula hunters Friday again will trek into the woods and fields to seek a deer. Many will gather at camps at the end of the day to celebrate if successful or swap stories of the ones that got away, perhaps play cards and enjoy the general atmosphere and camaraderie that is a part of ...
The first big snow of the season could come at any time, and area residents will need to clear out their driveways and sidewalks. The American Heart Association warns that while most people may not have any health problems shoveling snow, the risk of a heart attack during snow shoveling ...
Everybody makes mistakes, some bigger than others. People have the right to overcome their past transgressions and move on, hopefully in the right direction, with the smaller offenses playing less of a role in a person’s future. The Michigan House on Tuesday passed legislation that would ...