County to buy new cruisers
The Alger County Commission approved two new Dodge Durangos for the Alger County Sheriff’s Department at its Monday, March 20 meeting. The cruisers will be paid with $40,000 from the Sheriff’s budget and another approximately $90,000 from the capital improvements fund. The county typically runs vehicles on a cycle that keeps parts under new purchase warranty, but was disrupted by manufacturing delays during the pandemic. The county saves roughly $13,000 by outright purchasing the vehicles instead of leasing.
ACRC awards bids
Two road projects will move forward this summer after action at the Alger County Road Commission meeting on Monday, March 20. An asphalt emulsion on H-58 from Adams Trail to roughly 11 miles northwards will be done by H.G. Meigs for a total cost of $228,850. Payne & Dolan beat Bacco for a 2.1 mile stretch of E-T Road from roughly M-94 to Tunteri Road for $624,664.28.
Pictured Rocks Days set One of Munising’s largest events, Pictured Rocks Days, has been set for June 10-11, according to the Alger County Chamber of Commerce and Greater Munising Bay Partnership. The free event hosts vendors, food trucks and other festival opportunities on top of providing opportunities to enjoy the area. Those wanting to reserve a space can contact the Chamber at the Fuzzy Boyak Welcome Center
Tech hockey plays tonight
Michigan Tech University’s men’s hockey team begins their quest to the Frozen Four tonight. The Huskies were named the tenth overall seed and will play eighth-seeded Penn State on Friday at 5 p.m.. The game will be broadcasted on ESPNU. Winner moves on to play winner of Michigan and Colgate. Northern Michigan did not make the tournament, as they lost their automatic qualifying bid by losing to Minnesota State in the CCHA championship game on Saturday, March 18.
KI Sawyer rebrands The Marquette County Commission approved changing the name of KI Sawyer International Airport to Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport. The move comes from a rebranding effort during a $20 million renovation project starting in July 2022. The name strengthens ties with the Marquette market, but distances itself from Kenneth Ingalls (K.I.) Sawyer. Sawyer was the Marquette County Road Commission president that helped promote a centerline on curvy roads before it was adopted at state and national levels. The U.S. Air Force base that originally built the airport was named after Sawyer.
Escanaba man arrested for fake policing The Escanaba Department of Public Safety says that it arrested 45-year-old Shawn LeClaire of Escanaba for a misdemeanor charge of impersonating a peace officer. LeClaire, allegedly, walked into the business at a business on 900 block of North Lincoln Road, identified himself as a police officer, demanded to use the restroom in the business and threatened to arrest a worker before he left. A few hours later, officers located LeClaire and arrested him.