By Beacon Staff

The Munising Beacon continues the tradition of recapping the major stories of the year for public review. We are excited to beable to review our first full year! Look for the conclusion of the 2023 Year in Review in the next issues of The Munising Beacon.

January 6

Waters receding

Waters down two feet at Au Train River mouth The flooding in Au Train has significantly slowed down, with the river dropping over two feet at its mouth into Lake Superior. “There are three areas where the water is flowing out very nicely. One wasn’t fl owing as fast, but it was another possibility for an outlet,” Au Train Township Supervisor Michelle Doucette said.

“It’s getting less day by day.”

Official measurements say the water is 24.5 inches lower at the river mouth and over 36 inches lower at the Doucette Bridge. Popular amongst recreational kayakers, the water was almost twice its normal depth at the peak of the flooding.

Bobcats, Cougars compete for first time this millennium Munising Baptist’s Ryan Swift (black) and Superior Central’s Trent Rutter (white) tip off to start overtime on Friday, Dec. 30 in Eben Junction. The local non-MHSAA school and Alger County’s western high school scrimmaged each other for the first time since the late 1990s. For the Bobcats, it was considered another game on the schedule, as they are limited to Northern Lights League contests and games against other non-MHSAA schools.

For the Cougars, it was a chance for student athletes deemed ineligible due to transfer a chance to play a game and for the boys team to kick off the rust from the holiday vacation. SC won 58-53 in OT.

January 13 Shealey named new VA Med Center Director John P. Shealey, DBA, has been selected as the new Executive Director, Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center (OGJVAMC), Iron Mountain, Michigan, effective February 26, 2023. Shealey currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer at UnityPoint Health, Lucas County Health Center. He is responsible for the operation and management of the 24-bed acute care hospital with emergency department and ambulance service in Chariton, Iowa. Additionally, Shealey currently serves as an adjunct faculty member for both the University of Saint Francis and Huntington University. Shealey is an eightyear Veteran of the United States Army and has over 20 years of healthcare management and leadership experience in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the civilian sector. He has served as a member of the Executive Leadership Team for Northern Indiana Health Care System (NIHCS) as the Associate Director, as well as the Assistant Director.

U.P. Guardsmen are deployed

Approximately 150 Soldiers assigned to the Michigan Army National Guard Headquarters 107th Engineer Battalion, gathered with family before deployment on Jan. 7, 2022, at Northern Michigan University, in Marquette. Based in Ishpeming and Marquette, the unit, comprised of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Forward Support Company, are scheduled to deploy for up to a year to Southwest Asia.

Bartlett remains SC President

The Superior Central Schools Board of Education has a familiar face at the head of the table. Ben Bartlett was unanimously selected to stay as the school board president. Taking over the vice presidency role will be Kim Spranger. The role was previously held by Skip Rutter, but he yielded to his fellow Cougar coach. Denise Bartlett will be the treasurer. New board member Nicole Aho was voted as secretary. The board has three new faces in Matt Rondeau, Josh Trader and Aho. Rondeau and Aho are serving for their first terms on the board after winning the November election while Trader also was elected in November, but for a partial term of two years.

MTU’s Pietila named CCHA Goalie of the Week The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) has announced its Players of the Week for the games of January 6-7 and four student-athletes from four different programs have been recognized. Austen Swankler (Bowling Green) was named the Forward of the Week, while Jake Livingstone (Minnesota State) was the Defenseman of the Week. Blake Pietila (Michigan Tech) collected Goaltender of the Week honors and Lleyton Roed (Bemidji State) garnered Rookie of the Week. CCHA Goaltender of the Week: Blake Pietila, Sr., Michigan Tech (Howell, Mich.) Pietila was named Desert Hockey Classic Most Valuable Player after going 2-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage last week in Tempe, Ariz. He made 24 saves in a 4-2 victory over host Arizona State for then-No. 16 Michigan Tech, before turning away 31-of-33 shots in a 3-2 win over then-No. 6 Boston University in the championship game on Saturday. For the weekend, he made a total of 55 saves in 120 minutes of action.

Thank you for bringing HS hockey to Munising Last weekend, Munising was honored to host high school hockey at Alger Centennial Ice Arena, as the hockey co-op with Munising, Manistique, Newberry and Superior Central played two games in town. Locals from across Alger County came out to support the team regardless of what color the jersey said because they were happy to have the opportunity to cheer for their own.

January 20 Hill starts off 109th term state representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) was named to four committees for the Michigan House of Representatives in her first month as Alger County’s voice in Lansing. The 109th district representative was named to the Energy, Communications and Technology committee, the Local Government and Municipal Finance committee, the Higher Education committee and the Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation committee. Hill was named as the majority vice chair for the final Committee.

LeJeune out, McLaughlin in for Rock River

In a rare move, Ron LeJeune failed to be reappointed to the Rock River Township Planning Commission. No municipality in Alger County has failed to reappoint a member of its planning commission that has wanted to return to the position since at least 2019. LeJeune’s three-year term on the commission ended on Jan. 1, 2023, so the township accepted applications for the position. Four total candidates submitted letters of intent. Renee McLaughlin was appointed after a 4-1 vote, with Township Trustee Rowan Bunce dissenting. Bunce, who serves as the township board’s liaison to the planning commission, nominated LeJeune, but could not get a second.

Munising’s Brisson named scholar-athlete finalist

The 120 finalists for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Scholar-Athlete Awards for the 2022-23 school year, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, have been announced, which includes one successful Mustang student

athlete. Monique Brisson, a multisport senior for Munising, was named as a finalist. The cross country, volleyball and basketball leader is only partially through her final year, but is making waves statewide. Eleven student-athletes were from U.P. schools. Twelve schools have two finalists. Negaunee was the only one from the Upper Peninsula. Over 400 schools submitted at least one athlete across the state.

Norse win first conference game

The Bay College Women’s Basketball Team (5-11, 1-1) picked up their fi rst conference win in school history on Wednesday evening in front of a boisterous home crowd. The Norse saw the North Central Michigan College Timberwolves (3-10, 0-2) erase a double-digit lead but held on to earn a 58-52 victory.

January 27 MPS adds student resource officer

Munising Public Schools and the City of Munising have approved a new student resource officer for the district. Also known as SROs, the program will put a City of Munising police officer directly into the Middle/High school and Mather Elementary. “Time is of the essence in a catastrophe. Not just the minutes, but the seconds matter,” Munising Public Schools Superintendent Mike Travis said. “Now we will have someone who will get to know the students and the staff and build the relationships. A lot of positive things can come from this.”

Bergman appointed to committees Jack Bergman

(R-Watersmeet) announced he will serve on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the House Armed Services Committee, and the House Budget Committee in the 118th Congress. “Serving on these three critical committees in the new Republican majority is an honor and I’m ready to hit the ground running. We have major tasks ahead of us – we must continue to ensure the legislation we pass in the House puts our nation first and addresses critical issues facing our District,” Bergman said.

Munising’s Bogater attends State of the State address Munising Mayor Pro Tem Johanna Bogater attended the 2023 State of the State address in person on Wednesday, January 25 at the Michigan State Capitol. Bogater was a guest of 109th District Representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette).

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Tuesday, Jan. 24 an update on the transformation it has made to the child welfare system that has resulted in improved safety for children and families since the inception of a federal lawsuit. MDHHS appeared virtually in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan for the latest update, which has been tracking progress since a 2008 settlement agreement following a 2006 lawsuit.

The Munising Mustangs took third place at the Manistique Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 21. The Mustangs increased their score from the previous week by over 50 points. Munising had a slight edge over Norway for second place after the first two rounds, but the Knights were able to edge ahead to knock the Mustangs down a position. Gladstone won the overall competition while host Manistique was fourth.

Wrestlers compete at U.P. Finals

The Munising Mustang wrestling team took tenth place at the Upper Peninsula Finals wrestling meet on Saturday, January 21 in Marquette. The tournament style meet showcased the best of the U.P.’s prep wrestlers, with three local wrestlers standing out for the Mustangs.

February 3 Alger-Delta receives $10.9 million from USDA The Alger-Delta Cooperative Electric Association received a $10,900,000 loan from the federal government to help install new customers and improve existing lines within the cooperative. “It won’t be anything eye catching or flashy,” said Mike Furmanski, General Manager of the Alger-Delta Cooperative. “It will be a lot of smaller projects, one span at a Time.” Alger-Delta is headquartered in Gladstone and serves 10,289 consumers over 1,300 miles of line in six counties in Michigan’s central Upper Peninsula. According to Furmanski, the funding will help match the recent increase in customers while staying diligent to existing members.

Munising troop wins Boy Scouts’ Klondike Derby The Hiawathaland District Klondike Derby was held on January 28, 2023, at Camp Hiawatha on Bunting Lake east of Chatham. The day started with about 14 degrees with fresh snow, but no wind made the day very promising. Over one hundred and forty Scouts and Webelos with their adult leaders took part in the annual outdoor fun. The theme of this year’s Derby is, “Gold Rush Days” where the Scouts and Webelos were challenged with events brought back from historic times up in the Yukon. Scouts “visited” the historic Dyea, Skagway, Dawson Creek, Chilkoot Pass, and Back to Dyea. True North Patrol of T-332 of Munising took first place in the event with Yooper Trooper Patrol of T-130 of Newberry taking second and Lumberjack Penguins of T-400 &401 of Manistique in third.

John Kantola (right) took first place at the inaugural Chatham Chili Cookoff on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Rock River Township Hall in Chatham. His bacon jowl and pole bean chili took first place of 20 entries, with Arch Hendrick (not pictured) and Katie Fink (left) finished second and third as the winners showcased their prizes. The event raised $2,254 for the Hiawatha Slopes ski hill in Chatham.

“Bad Luck Barquentine” discovered in the Shipwreck Coast of Lake Superior The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) is thrilled to announce the discovery of the 144-foot Barquentine Nucleus. The Nucleus was found under 600 feet of water around 40 miles northwest of Vermilion point on Lake Superior. The Nucleus sank on September 14th, 1869, when it was downbound from Marquette carrying a load of iron ore. The Nucleus was no stranger to accidents though. It had already sunk twice, and in 1854, rammed and sank the side-wheeler S.S. Detroit in Lake Huron.

Superior Central basketball had a varsity boys and girls basketball sweep, defeating the Big Bay de Noc Black Bears twice on Friday, Feb. 3 in Eben Junction. The win increased the boys to a 5-9 record on the year and the girls to 9-4. The games also served as the winter homecoming and parents appreciation night for both teams. GIRLS: Big Bay 25 Superior Central 52 BOYS: Big Bay 44 Superior Central 45

Kolbus Racing takes fourth at I-500

A team full of racers, mechanics, fabricators, sponsors and owners with local ties stunned the fi eld at the International 500, with Kolbus Racing taking fourth place. “It was a damn near perfect race,” co-driver Derek Kolbus said. “Our snowmobile was great. Our chassis was great. We proved we can build a snowmobile that can go 500 miles.”

February 17

No snow for UP 200

Locals scramble to make other events after historic cancelation The UP 200, the largest sled dog race in the lower 48, has been canceled by race organizers. The Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association (UPSDA) cited deteriorating weather conditions and safety concerns for participants, spectators and volunteer for why the event will not happen. “Safety is our top priority. Given the rain (on Tuesday, Feb. 14), the impending flash freeze and the lack of snow in this week’s forecast, it would be irresponsible to encourage mushers, volunteers and spectators to be on the trail this weekend. We will make the best of a difficult situation,” UPSDA President Darlene Walch said.

New playground fully funded

The Mather Elementary playground project is now fully funded, according to school officials. “I’m super excited. I didn’t think it was going to happen this soon,” Munising Middle/High School Principal Nicole Lasak said. “It’s a good feeling to achieve this goal with the help of the community.” A goal of $150,000 was set by the school district after the Munising Board of Education announced that they could pay for half of the estimated $300,000 expense of replacing the current wooden structure. A donation from the Munising Visitors Bureau for $17,000 pushed the total over the goal after hundreds of donations came in from businesses, organizations, local government American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and private donors. Many donors were featured on Munising Public School’s Facebook page and on the social media accounts of the various donors.

Polar Plunge breaks records

The 2023 Munising Polar Plunge was a great success with a record-setting performance of locals braving the pool of icecold water on Saturday, February 11. “It’s absolutely

amazing,” said Polar Plunge Co-organizer Carla White. “It’s the best year we’ve ever had in Munising both money wise and amount of plungers.”

Munising wins wrestling districts

For the first time in six years, the Munising Mustang wrestling team is MHSAA District champions. “It felt fantastic,” Munising Head Coach Joe Dolaskie said. “It feels like we’ve been rebuilding since I took over, but we have 11 people returning and have a good chance to win next year too.”

February 24 Rock River confirms partial STR Ban

The Rock River Township board confirmed that they would stand by the planning commission decision to enact a partial ban on short term rentals (STRs) in the township’s most rural zone.

No dogs, no problem

Grand Marais find ways to continue the spirit of the UP 200 weekend Grand Marais came together in a flash after the UP 200 was canceled, putting on a special event to help preserve the weekend from both an economic and a cultural experience. Over 1,000 people came from all parts of the Eastern Upper Peninsula to participate in various events to take place of the largest sled dog race in the Lower 48. “The response from the community was wonderful. In 48 hours, we went from a cancelled UP 200 to a full day of Winterfest activities, which is an amazing accomplishment,” said Cathy Egeler, UP 200 Grand Marais checkpoint coordinator. The UP 200 organizers also helped with the marketing of the new event. Northern Michigan University made both of the new logos for the festival in Marquette and Grand Marais, sharing activities in both locations on social media. Other sponsors provided giveaways and prizes. While most of the sled dog teams stayed in the Marquette area, Juckette Racing went to Grand Marais to showcase the athletes both two- and fourlegged that compete in the sled dog circuit. The Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce, local business owners, the Burt Township School District and residents all stepped up for each new activity.

Superior Central’s Agriculture and Forestry class has been awarded a $5,000 grant to support a project that will bring more local food into the lunchroom through a LIFTUP (Locally Integrated Food Teams in the UP) project. After meeting with farmers and food service to better understand their local food system, students designed a project that will provide school-grown food for the school lunch program through innovative projects that utilize their hoop house, indoor growing space, and a partnership with a farm. Superior Central has been growing food at the school since 2012.

Michigan cuts cable at record rate

Residents across Michigan are cutting cable at record rates, according to a new report from the Michigan Public Service Commission. The annual report issued on February 1 says that over 151,000 households — or roughly four percent statewide — have cut the cord. Based on population, this would essentially translate to the entirety of the Upper Peninsula canceling cable television in 2022. “There’s a trend that people are moving away from fixed cable to streaming services,” said Matt Helms, a spokesperson for the Public Services Commission, which regulates the natural gas, electrical and telecommunications industries in Michigan.

The Munising Mustang competitive cheer team took third place at the MHSAA District competition, meaning Munising will advance to the regionals this weekend in Grand Rapids. Munising scored a season high 712.14 on their way to a third-place finish. Gladstone won the district with 756.68 points while fellow U.P. team Norway was the first team failing to advance in fifth.

February 10 Chatham Chili Cookoff raises funds
Superior Central sweeps Big Bay

Munising cheer advances to regionals
SC awarded grant to showcase food Independence