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News & Opinion from Marquette, Michigan

Vajda’s Future, Orphanage Progress, Land for Sale, Piedmont’s Popularity, Joe’s Second Departure, and the Main Event

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MORE INTRIGUE AT City Hall. Following last week's reports that City Manager Bill Vajda had quit or threatened to quit comes this disclosure: He's one of 19 applicants for the County Administrator's job in Grand Traverse County. And if you check his credentials, he seems better qualified for the job than most, if not ... Continue Reading

Dark Stores, Harleys, Shriners, North Wind, VRBO, Blighted Maples, and a Barn Dance

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A SHOWDOWN ON the dark store issue is coming in Lansing. In two weeks, Representative John Kivela and State Senator Tom Casperson are planning to introduce their bills that would essentially prevent large box stores from being taxed as though they were vacant (or dark). Recent rulings by the state's Tax Tribunal have ... Continue Reading

L’Attitude Name Change, City Commission Candidates, Third Street Bikes, TV6 Meteorologist, and Yoga and Beer

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SAY GOODBYE TO L'Attitude. Not the place. The name. Next month the new sign will go up over the restaurant/bar across from the Lower Harbor, and it will be re-named Iron Bay Restaurant and Drinkery. The new name is a nod to the history of the place. It's actually located on what used to be known as Iron Bay, and ... Continue Reading

A Happening in the Forest

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HERE'S HOW AN authentic "happening" starts these days. Not with an official announcement in the newspaper, not with TV commercials, not with a city government or some agency taking charge, not with some corporation putting up big bucks to sponsor it, not with Ticketmaster selling all the tickets for a hefty, little ... Continue Reading

Meijer Plans, Up the Sky Hopes, Dairy Queen’s Opening, Bill Roth!, Fishing on TV, and a Child Prodigy

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NO DEFINITE WORD yet from Meijer on its planned expansion into Marquette County. A corporate executive downstate says, absolutely, they want to come here (they like college towns), they are intending to come here, they are shopping around but have not yet found a site. They've been searching for about two years. We ... Continue Reading

Flying Moose, Nutty Goat, Mt Shasta, TV6 and Local 3, and a Dog Named Harv

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ORGANIC FOOD, BEER & gear. That's the catchy little motto of the Flying Moose, the new general store on Washington Street (formerly Hockey Central) that's now due to open in two weeks, maybe less. The opening's been delayed because...well, openings are always delayed. Construction, permits, and ordering stuff ... Continue Reading

Partridge Creek Strategy, Aspen Dental Vacancy, Einerlei Closing, Children’s Museum Funding, and Soccer Champions

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IT'S SUFFERED A couple of setbacks in the last week but the nonprofit Partridge Creek Farm isn't backing off on its plans to expand its operations in Ishpeming. Quick background: The Ishpeming City Council told the nonprofit's founder, Dan Perkins, that he was growing crops on city property without authorization and he ... Continue Reading

Dark Stores, Bold Crosswalks, Plugged-in City Manager, Global Professor, and a Chocolate Risk-Taker

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ANY LEGISLATION TO resolve the "dark store" controversy isn't going to happen until this fall at the earliest. State Representative John Kivela (D) and State Senator Tom Casperson (R) now plan to introduce their bills in both chambers in September. The UP legislators have written up two bills: One would no longer ... Continue Reading

Steinhaus Market Opens, Ramada Renovates, North Wind Finds Peace, and a Smartzone Pioneer Sets Up Shop

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THE STEINHAUS MARKET on US 41, just south of downtown Marquette, is getting ready to open. Family and friends are invited to Friday’s “soft” opening while the general public will be welcomed on Monday. Hours will be 8-8, Monday through Friday. Breakfasts will include breakfast sandwiches and freshly made donuts, ... Continue Reading