State Police at the Wakefield Post responded to a fatal single-motorcycle crash last night on M-28 in Ontonagon County’s Bergland Township. Troopers say 73-year-old Charles Evans of Marenisco was westbound on M-28 near Sandy Beach Road just before 10-pm when a deer ran out on the roadway and struck the motorcycle. Evans was thrown from the bike and sustained severe head injuries. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. He was taken to Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood and later airlifted to Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin, where he was pronounced dead.
Detectives with the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms executed a search warrant last night around 8 o’clock at a residence on Albatross Street at the former K-I Sawyer Air Force Base. Detectives had received information that the occupant was in possession of an illegal firearm and was in violation of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. The search found the suspect and a two year old girl were present with the firearm and a marijuana growing operation. Evidence was collected at the scene and charges are being sought through the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect was detained by authorities and later released. All names are being withheld pending the continuing investigation.
Two people arrested in Houghton County in connection with a suspected meth lab that was confiscated Sunday afternoon in Chassell Township were arraigned yesterday. 26–year old Michael Newberry and 25–year old Nichole Saatio, both of Chassell, appeared in 97th District Court on felony charges of possession of methamphetamines or ecstasy and operating a laboratory involving methamphetamine. If convicted, both suspects face up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine on each charge. Bond was set at 10% of $100,000 for each suspect and a preliminary examination has been scheduled for June 29th.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation committing more than $300 million to higher education construction projects across the state, including a series of projects at Upper Michigan schools. House Bill 55-41 reflected the recommendations of Snyder’s fiscal year 2013 Executive Budget to invest in higher education. It includes a commitment to fund a total of 18 construction projects statewide. Approved funding for projects in the U.P include $25 million to Northern Michigan University to replace Jamrich Hall, $750,000 to Bay de Noc Community College for remodeling of their Nursing Lab/Lecture Hall, and $750,000 to Gogebic Community College for general building renovations.
108th District State Representative Ed McBroom is hosting a meeting of members of the Michigan House Energy and Technology Committee and area energy company representatives at a session in Escanaba later today. The meeting is being held to take comments and to listen to area residents and businesses on energy concerns. The forum will feature Rep. Ken Horn, House Energy and Technology Committee chairman, and will be an opportunity for people to find out what Michigan’s energy needs for the future are expected to be and where the state is at currently. The meeting runs from 4 to 6pm today at the Joseph Heirman Center at Bay College in Escanaba.
A public farewell reception honoring outgoing NMU President Les Wong and his wife, Phyllis, will be held from 4-6 p.m. this evening on campus. The reception will be in the Peter White Lounge of the University Center. The Wongs will be moving to California, where Les has accepted the presidency at San Francisco State University. Northern’s Board of Trustees, along with President David Haynes and his wife, Martha, are hosting the reception.