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Munising grad Bayer signs with Bay College volleyball

by jchampagne | June 25, 2026 | News, Sports | 0 Comments

By Ben Murphy Beacon Correspondent Recent Munising graduate Hayden Bayer was a definite standout for the Mustang volleyball team in her career. The talented outside hitter fortunately gets to continue making plays on the court at the next level, as she is set to join...

OFF THE BEATEN PATH: The place by the island

by jchampagne | June 23, 2026 | Column, News | 0 Comments

By Rod DesJardins Beacon Columnist The loons woke me up this morning. I hadn’t heard that sound since last September when we packed up the campers and moved back to town. Their song had me up before the sun, and it called me to the lake. I put the coffee on and got...

Alger County undersheriff is retiring this month: Blank reflects on 34-year career

by jchampagne | June 22, 2026 | Community, Features, News | 0 Comments

By Jennifer Champagne Managing Editor When Steve Blank returned from a recent vacation with his wife, Libby, he brought home a realization that helped confirm a decision years in the making. For 34 years, no matter where he went, part of his mind remained in Alger...

Tradition and innovation

by jchampagne | June 20, 2026 | Events, News | 0 Comments

Munising natives Mike Dausey, left, and Jeff Dausey have built Sage Creek Winery into a thriving business based in Memphis, Michigan. Sage Creek is partnering with Munising’s Life on the Rocks this Saturday for a bourbon and wine tasting event. By Jennifer Champagne...

‘Loneliest place in North America’

by jchampagne | June 19, 2026 | Features, News | 0 Comments

Courtesy of the Marquette Maritime Museum Lightkeeper’s descendents to visit Stannard Rock By Joshua Grove Beacon Correspondent Misty Buterbaugh, granddaughter of veteran lightkeeper Louis I. Wilks, will visit Stannard Rock Lighthouse this summer to tour the remote...

Dream Bean celebrates Stella anniversary

by jchampagne | May 20, 2026 | Community, Culture & Arts, News | 0 Comments

By Melissa Wentarmini Associate Editor Libby Lewandowski was 22 when she launched The Dream Bean out of a vintage Volkswagen bus, hauling coffee to music festivals and teaching yoga in the mornings before working the bus all day. Ten years later, she’s bringing some...

MUNISING TROUT & SALMON CLASSIC: Fishing for a cause

by jchampagne | May 12, 2026 | Community, Events, News, Outdoors | 0 Comments

The Munising Trout & Salmon Classic returns on May 16 and 17. The event raises funds for the Munising Fire Department. Photo courtesy of Munising Trout & Salmon Classic By Nicole Gearhart Beacon Correspondent One of the region’s most anticipated fishing...

Breaking News: Voters approve Munising sinking fund in Tuesday election, Burt Township millage renewal

by jchampagne | May 6, 2026 | Breaking News, News | 0 Comments

Voters in Alger County approved two school-related ballot proposals in Tuesday’s election, according to unofficial results. In Burt Township, the Burt Township School District No. 2 operating millage renewal proposal passed with strong support, receiving 154 “yes”...

Adventures with Billy: Goldens lead with instinct, comfort

by jchampagne | May 5, 2026 | Column, Community, News, Schools | 0 Comments

Courtesy of Keena Jones Madison Jones visited Mather Elementary recently to bring some comfort to students and staff. In high-stress environments ranging from fire departments to schools in crisis, two Upper Peninsula golden retrievers are learning — and in one case...

Breaking News: Two arrested in Alger County child predator sting; multi-agency operation targets online exploitation

by jchampagne | April 24, 2026 | Breaking News, News | 0 Comments

By Staff Two men from Michigan and Pennsylvania have been arrested following a multi-agency undercover operation targeting online child predators in Alger County. According to law enforcement officials, the operation was conducted March 13, 2026, by personnel from the...