Beer-lovers, rejoice. Marquette (actually Harvey) is about to get another microbrewery. The Bayou just got its license to brew its own suds but it’ll be at least a few months before the operation is up and running.
Optimistically, they’re hoping for April. Realistically, more like June. They’ve got to revamp the facility and install five tanks.
They’ve got a brewmaster ready to go, they’ll be producing five different beers, and they’re now looking for a logo for the new brewery which will officially be called the Chocolay River Brewery. The Bayou will hold a contest to determine the winning design.
If you’ve followed the evolution of the Bayou over the last decade, you’ve seen it change from a “dive bar” (Sorry, no other way to put it) to a neighborhood eatery with a vastly improved menu and more attractive appearance to a…brew pub, with a little cachet.
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Now, what’s with the supposed Mexican restaurant soon to open over L’Attitude?
Okay, it’ll be called Sol Azteca or Aztec Sun.
The staff is ready, the facilities and food are ready but…the menus aren’t printed up yet and the sign’s not here, either. According to one of the senior staff people, that’s all that’s holding the opening up. If the menus get here in the next few days, Sol Azteca could open as early as Monday.
It’ll be mid-priced Mexican food–tacos, enchiladas, steaks, etc–in one of the best venues in town.
One eensie-teensie problem. Sol Azteca still doesn’t have a liquor license. The staff member told me they’re hoping to get it within a month, two at most.
Let’s hope it’s soon. Mexican food tastes better with a Corona or Dos Equis.
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So far, three candidates have tossed their hat into the ring for Marquette County Sheriff after the current sheriff, Mike Lovelace, unexpectedly announced his retirement a couple of weeks ago.
The three are Undersheriff Jack Schneider, Chocolay Police Chief Greg Zyburt, and a third candidate who wishes to remain anonymous. Understandable, since the candidate may not want his (or her) employer to know that he wants to move on.
Applications close down on December 15. Then the troika of Probate Judge Cheryl Hill, Prosecutor Matt Wiese and County Clerk Jack Dishnow will interview the candidates and choose the new sheriff who will take over February 1.
Interesting fact. The sheriff doesn’t have to have a law enforcement background. It’s considered an administrative position.
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Update on the back pay issue for beginning reporters at TV6 and Fox UP:
President and GM Rob Jamros says it’s been resolved, after an investigation by the US Department of Labor.
Jamros says back pay will be given to all the underpaid news employees over the last 24 months. That will include some personnel who’ve since left the station.
Salaries for current employees have already been boosted about $5000 a year.
Jamros says a misunderstanding of the labor laws by WLUC’s owners had resulted in the underpayments.
As for the station’s new owners, Jamros says he’s very optimistic because Sinclair is a genuine TV operation whose business is in running small and medium market TV stations. The previous owners, Barrington Broadcasting(who, frankly, were not popular with most of the staff here), was essentially an investment group intent on making as much money as possible in a short period of time.
Let’s see if Sinclair takes a different approach.
You got news? Email me at briancabell@gmail.com