"WE HAVE TO create a whole new system. One of my colleagues said it's like driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour and trying to fix the engine at the same time." That's Dr. Kevin Piggott, the medical director for the Marquette County Health Department, describing the task they're facing in preparing for an ... Continue Reading
Book World Building Is Sold, and It’s Beer Choir Night!
NEARLY TWO YEARS after Book World closed down in the heart of downtown Marquette, the building has finally been sold. The buyers? Anne White, originally of Marquette, and her partner, Scott Anderson, who together form Buffalo Dragon Investments. So....what's it gonna be? "We're not absolutely certain what we're ... Continue Reading
Johnny Dogs Disappointment, Munising Radio Changes, and a Rooftop Garden
ONE OF THE Upper Peninsula's most popular restaurants is down for the summer. Johnny Dogs in Munising. John Flanders, the founder, owner, and chef, suffered a heart attack several weeks back, underwent surgery, and is now recuperating. He'll need some time--the restaurant's Facebook site says it'll be closed for a few ... Continue Reading
Iron Bay Is Crazy Busy, Marquette Hotels Are Pricey, VR Is Staying, SmartZone and Invent@NMU Are Flush, Heroin Is on the Rise, the Township Finds a Way, and Blueberries Look Promising
BUSY DOWNTOWN. PEOPLE everywhere. The epicenter seems to be the recently opened Iron Bay Restaurant and Drinkery. Co-owner Joe Constance is reluctant to talk about numbers but concedes that the restaurant is averaging more than 600 customers a day. Some days, it's hit 800 plus. Crazy volume. Double what he was ... Continue Reading
Are Service Clubs Dying?
WE TAKE TODAY'S Fourth of July parade in Marquette for granted. Along with the three day International Food Fest. Same thing with Harborfest coming up later this summer. They just happen, right? They're city events. Well, no. The parade wouldn't happen without the yearlong efforts of volunteers from the Kiwanis Club, ... Continue Reading