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News & Opinion from Marquette, Michigan

YMCA Investigation, Ishpeming Mushrooms, Iron Ore Woes, TV News Changes, Presque Isle Erosion, and a Midnight Visit to the ER

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AN INVESTIGATOR FROM YMCA USA has been at the local facility this week checking on the financial and operational health of the Y. More national visitors next week. This comes in the wake of the dismissal (or forced resignation) of longtime CEO Lisa Coombs-Gerou two weeks ago amid charges of financial mismanagement. ... Continue Reading

Former Maritime Museum Director Arraigned

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A SAD STORY at the Marquette Maritime Museum. The museum's director, Carrie Sue Fries, has been arraigned in District Court on two counts of embezzlement and three counts of forgery. She had been terminated from her job back in December after serving as director for more than 14 years. Total loss, according to a ... Continue Reading

Fraco Sold, Easy Ice Soars, TV Anchor Arrives, Another TV Anchor Pleads, Ore Dock Has Big Plans (Really!)

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ONE OF THE Marquette area's best known family businesses is changing hands after more than 60 years. Fraco, known for its masonry, concrete and retaining wall work, is being sold by the Frazier family to the Crimmins family. The deal should be completed by May 1. However. Don't expect any big changes at Fraco ... Continue Reading

Ore Dock Sold To Hotel Chain

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MARQUETTE'S ICONIC ORE dock at the Lower Harbor has been sold to to an international luxury hotel chain. The price? $37 million. Yuwara Sukkar LLC, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, finalized the deal on Thursday. Sukkar operates luxury hotels in 14 countries around the world, including Bohemia, ... Continue Reading

Delft Bistro Finally Moves Ahead; Russian Tanker Still Sits

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AT LONG LAST, the transformation of the Delft Theater into the Delft Bistro has begun. Crews have begun the demolition and remodeling of the interior of the building. The Delft Bistro? Yep, it'll be a dinner theater/restaurant/bar/meeting venue/place to hang out. Two floors for dining and drinking while watching a ... Continue Reading

STRAIGHTtalk with Walt Lindala

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STRAIGHTtalk with Walt Lindala of the Walt and Mike Show on Sunny FM. He’s a lifelong Yooper who loves news, loves the Blues, and loves his community. He talks about that, and also tells Brian how he proposed to his wife. BC: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? WL: I’ve had an affinity for ... Continue Reading

Pizza Truck Arrives, Dia de los Tacos Welcomes It, Chamber Grows, Landmark Revenue Grows, Marijuana Business Mystery, and TV Reporter Moves On

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MARQUETTE'S BURGEONING FOOD truck industry is about to grow yet again. The latest addition? Copper Crust Co., which will feature wood-fired pizzas, along with empanadas, chicken wings, meatballs and quesadillas. Actually, Copper Crust won't be a truck; it'll be a fully equipped trailer transported to its parking spots ... Continue Reading

Mystery Wind Turbines, an Alleged Theft, a Turnaround Downtown, Ishpeming Goes Western, and the U.P. Goes Viral

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IT'S STILL A mystery. Who is planning to install 120 huge wind turbines in Marquette and Baraga counties? Nearly 40 of the units, according to maps, would be located in and around the Yellow Dog Plains which many consider a pristine wilderness that should be left alone. Environmentalists fought to prevent the Lundin mine ... Continue Reading

Che Bello, One Marquette Place, Lakestate Industries, Big Burger Grille, Angel Investors, and SmartPrize

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WE HAVE ANOTHER vacancy in what has to be considered the very center of downtown Marquette: the 100 block of West Washington Street. Che Bello, the women's and men's clothing store, has just shut down after four years in business. They'll just be selling their apparel online from now on. No reason given for the ... Continue Reading