Occupancy is minimal CONTRARY TO RUMORS, the Landmark Inn is not shutting down. "It's not been easy but we're doing our best to keep the lights on," says Ben Graves, the CEO of Graves Hospitality which owns the Landmark. "We have no plans to close. Frankly, we looked at shutting it down but it just didn't make sense. ... Continue Reading
A Permanent Homeless Shelter in Marquette?
HOMELESS ADVOCATES HAVE been talking about it for the last few years--the need for a permanent shelter for the homeless in Marquette. The questions have remained, though: Where to locate it? And how to pay for it? Nick Emmendorfer, the executive director of Room at the Inn, says he and his board may have come up with ... Continue Reading
Protecting the Lake from Pollution, and Easing the Burden for Churches
THERE'VE BEEN CONCERNS recently about storm runoff in Marquette polluting Lake Superior. The photo above, showing a stream of street runoff flowing directly into the Lake near McCarty's Cove, illustrates the problem perfectly. City Manager Mike Angeli concedes it's something the city needs to work on but insists it ... Continue Reading
Friendship Looming Between Police and RATI, and Where’d the Beach Trash Go?
PROGRESS ON THE homeless front in Marquette. Police chief Blake Rieboldt, whose department has faced difficulties with Room at the Inn and the Warming Center in the past, says the relationship has changed. The primary reason? Nick Emmendorfer, who took over as executive director at RATI last year. "We're setting up ... Continue Reading
Room at the Inn Hires New Director
NICK EMMENDORFER, the district representative for Congressman Jack Bergman, has been selected as the new executive director of the Room at the Inn. He'll replace Doug Russell who was terminated from his job a couple of months ago. Emmendorfer is only 28 years old, an NMU graduate, and a longtime volunteer at RATI. "He's ... Continue Reading