Marquette City police are looking for the public’s help in their investigation into a hit and run accident last night that injured two people. Police say the accident happened just before 10:30pm at the intersection of Genesee Street and South Front Street when a 42-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man were crossing the street towards Lake Superior were struck by a southbound car, heading toward Harvey. The vehicle left the scene after the impact. The two victims, whose names have not been released, are both from Marquette. They were taken to Marquette General Hospital for treatment and their conditions are unknown at this time. If you have any information related to this accident, please contact Marquette City Police at 228-0400.
Authorities in the western U.P. are reporting the apparent drowning of a Montana man in Lake Superior. The Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department says the body of a 54-year-old man from Billings, Montana was found floating in the lake about 20 yards off shore from the Sunshine Motel in Ontonagon. The man, whose name is being withheld at this time, had been seen walking along the beach earlier in the day. Deputies say the investigation is continuing, but alcohol is believed to be a factor in the death of the man.
Firefighters were called out to a structure fire at Sawyer overnight. The fire was reported just after midnight in an unoccupied building at 329 Warhawk Street. Few details have been released, but firefighters from several departments responded to the scene and had the fire cleared just before 4-am. The building sustained extensive damage, but no injuries are being reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Strong thunderstorms, heavy rains and high winds moving across the central Upper Michigan last night forced the cancellation of several fireworks displays. The following communities have rescheduled their fireworks shows to this evening at dusk: Ishpeming, Munising and Escanaba. Fireworks scheduled for last night in Gladstone have been rescheduled for Friday at dusk.
Marquette City Officials say the revised City Charter is currently under review by the Governor’s Office and the State Attorney General’s Office. Receipt of the Charter has been acknowledged by the State and their review process is under way. The City will remain in contact with the State during the review process as there are likely to be some editorial suggestions from the Attorney General. The State review process is expected to be completed by Mid-August so that the Revised Charter can be included on the November Presidential Election Ballot. Meetings may be called this summer and during the fall to work on suggestions from the State and to adopt ballot language as well as to discuss the presentation of the Charter to the public prior to the election.
After studying traffic at three intersections on the US-2 Business Route in Ironwood for three months, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has determined the signals should be removed and the intersections should operate as permanent four-way stops. City officials have agreed with the results of the study, and support removing the signals. The signal heads will be removed beginning this Tuesday, and the support poles will be removed as part of the joint street scape project being done by M-DOT and the city starting later this year. Review of the intersections showed they did not meet criteria for signals based on traffic and pedestrian volumes, and other factors. The signals could be reinstalled in the future if traffic patterns change and justify their addition.
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reminds residents that they have until this Monday to register to vote in the August 7-th state primary election. To register, applicants must be at least 18 years old by Election Day and be U.S. citizens. Applicants must also be residents of Michigan and of the city or township in which they wish to register. Voters may register by mail, at their county, city or township clerk’s office or by visiting any Secretary of State office. The mail-in form is available at www.michigan.gov/elections. The polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
