Daily Press file photo A significant investment coming in 2025. The Swedish company Billerud announced it is investing roughly $125 million in the Escanaba and Quinnesec paper mills. According to a press release, the largest project involves modernizing and rebuilding the Escanaba Mill woodyard.

From events new and old to the destruction of an iconic Escanaba restaurant, there was no shortage of news in 2024. Here’s a look back at the stories people were talking about in the last half of 2024. Look for the top stories from June to December 2024 in the Thursday, Jan. 2 edition of the Daily Press and our website at www.dailypress.net.

JUNE

1 — A trio of businesses that have been staples of downtown Escanaba for decades, including the Upper Peninsula’s first brewpub, are now under new ownership. On June 1, the three operations at the northeast corner of Ludington and 7th Street North — Hereford and Hops Steakhouse and Brewpub, the Delta Apartments above, and Gust Asp Party Store adjacent — transitioned from the hands of Becky Moody to Logan Rasner and Mary Ann Wedell of LMCC Properties. Rasner is originally from Wallace, Mich.; Wedell is from Escanaba.

4 — The Delta County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to remove two individuals appointed to the recently-formed parks and recreation commission by the county commissioners recalled on May 7. Those individuals were Former Delta Conservation District CEO Rory Mattson and Allen “Snuffy” Ettenhoffer, a prominent member of the U.P. Whitetails Association.

5 — The Delta County Courthouse is getting a needed upgrade. The upgrades include a body scanner, package scanner, enhancements to the surveillance system, and reconstruct the courtroom doors, as well as the outside wall. Additionally, another sheriff’s deputy will be assigned to securing the courthouse.

6 — Bay College is celebrating a successful academic year. The college saw a 9 percent increase in overall enrollment over the past few years, increasing the student body to a total of 1,996. Of these 1,996 students, 71 percent or roughly 1417 students are attending part-time.

10 — A formal event for people with disabilities, their families and people looking to meet others and have a good time was held at the Island Resort and Casino on Monday evening. The Mix and Mingle Community Event, arranged by volunteers and staff from Pathways and supported by organizations and individuals in Delta County and beyond, is one of several similarly-aimed social events organized throughout the year, but this formal is akin to a prom, complete with ball gowns and makeovers.

11 — Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey T. Rogg announced Nathan Joseph Bedgood, 38, of Daggett was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon and resisting/obstructing police with injury. According to information provided in open court, On August 21, 2023, Menominee County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to W435 County Road 358 in Daggett in reference to an out of control male, later identified as Bedgood. Law enforcement attempted to arrest Bedgood when he stabbed one of the deputies with a knife.

11 — The Gladstone City Commission approved a resolution for a special assessment levy to fund the Public Safety and Volunteer Fire Departments Monday. Residents will see the impact in the form of 2 mills on their summer tax bill and 2.5 mills in the winter — and some are not happy.

12 — A local dive rescue team and state police teamed recently helped clean up a state park. The Delta County Sheriff Dive Rescue Team recently conducted a cleaning of Kitch-iti-kipi (a natural spring) at Palms Book State Park in Manistique.

12 — The Friends of the Escanaba Public Library Annual Ice Cream Social was held on the library lawn. In addition to cupcakes, ice cream, and a cake showcasing the library’s summer reading program, guests of the event were treated with a concert by the Escanaba City Band.

14 — On Friday, Dana Nessel, Michigan’s Attorney General partnered with The Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Task Force UPHTTF for a roundtable discussion. The event took place at the Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital.

14 — Two members of the Delta County Board of Canvassers who voted not to certify the results of the May 7 county board recall election have resigned. Republican Canvasser Bonnie Hakkola submitted a letter announcing her resignation today. Alternate Republican Canvasser LeeAnne Oman, who was filling in for Republican Canvasser Sema Deeds at the May 14 meeting when she voted with Hakkola not to certify the election, submitted her own resignation letter June 13.

18 — Two parks in Bark River are in the process of getting a major upgrade, thanks to organizing efforts of the Heart of the North Lions Club of Delta and Menominee Counties and support, contributions, and volunteer hours from a number of local organizations and individuals. Most of the fundraising for inclusive playground equipment has been accomplished, with donations still open on Patronicity until July 12.

19 — The Escanaba City Band kicked off their first weekly concert of their centennial season Wednesday with a special guest conductor. Daily Press Publisher Sarah Maki took to the conductor’s podium to lead the band in a performance of John Philip Sousa’s “The Washington Post” march.

20 — A Menominee man was arraigned this week on charges of terrorism and assault with intent to murder after he allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at people sitting on a porch. A neighbor recognized the perpetrator as “Frankie,” who officers later identified as Frank Samuelle Buelteman, 45, of Menominee.

21 — Missoula Children’s Theater (MCT), a traveling group that’s the largest of its kind, has been giving kids in communities around the world the opportunity to participate in theatrical performances since 1972. This week, MCT is occupying the theater of the William Bonifas Arts Center in Escanaba, and 59 local youths between the ages of 5 and 15 have earned roles in the production.

23 — The Pearl Mist Cruise Ship, owned by Pearl Seas Cruises, docked at Escanaba’s North Shore Marine Terminal & Logistics Dock today. The ship stayed docked in Escanaba all day, and departed departed at approximately 11 p.m. Sunday, June 24.

24 — Fayette State Park’s historic site is undergoing construction to make needed structural changes to the furnace complex. The reconstruction is part of a $273 million project funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and approved by the state’s legislature for infrastructure in state parks.

25 — M-35 between Rock and Perkins was closed for an extended period of time Tuesday due to a crash involving a semi truck hauling diesel fuel. The one-vehicle crash took place near Trombley 35th Road in Rock.

27 — A local barbershop is closing its doors after being in business since 2014.

Boudreau’s Barber Shop closed permanently today. The over 100-year-old building housed barbers since the 1960s, from Norms to Brents and to most recently, Boudreaus in 2014 when Chad Boudreau bought the business.

27 — The public now has opportunity to train to be lineman in Escanaba. North Country Heavy Equipment School held an open house Thursday to show off what students can learn at the new North Country Electric Line School.

28 — Tavaris Jackson, of Escanaba rejected a plea deal from the prosecution during a hearing Friday. Jackson is accused of murdering his pregnant ex-girl friend, 22-year-old Harley Corwin and leaving her body in O.B. Fuller Park last year.

28 — Night at the Village, new this year, is being held at the Antique Village on the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba this weekend.

28 — A Menom- inee man was arrested Friday for threatening to shoot the employees of the Menominee County Courthouse.

At approximately 8:09 a.m. Friday, Menominee County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators responded to reported threats made to shoot the courthouse employees. The suspect, 29-year-old Dakota Blaike Davies, was located and arrested at his residence in the city of Menominee.

JULY

1 — The Michigan State Police’s Gladstone Post has a new person at the helm. At the beginning of July, F/Lt. Christopher Gerard took the reins at MSP District 8 Post 84. Gerard is replacing former Post Commander Greg Cunningham after 31 years with the agency.

1 — The Hannahville Tribal Police Department recently welcomed Jeff Hansen into its ranks as the department’s newest chief of police.

1 — 90 years ago, a passionate group with shared interests assembled to organize events and improve Escanaba’s environment for recreational boating. Today, the port town’s harbor, marina, and waterfront clubhouse are representative of the the Escanaba Yacht Club’s accomplishments.

3 — A Gladstone man was sentenced to 150 days in jail for stalking in Delta County, after sending threats to a former county commissioner’s ex-wife in what was described by prosecutors as “political” harassment. Paul David Mason, of Gladstone, was in court for his sentencing related to charges of stalking Anastasia VanEnkevort. Mason pled no contest to the charges.

4 — Bob Snowaert was selected as the 2024 Gladstone Fourth of July Parade grand marshal.

8 — A woman who drown at the Boney Falls Campground has been identified. A death notice issued by a local funeral home stated that Samantha “Sammie” Marie (Tomac) Shrove, 36, of Escanaba, passed away on Thursday, July 4, from a kayaking accident.

8 — Three first responders were presented with Lifesaving Awards during the Gladstone City Commission meeting for their actions during a fire at an adult foster care home in May. Public Safety Director Ron Robinson issued the honors to Public Safety Officer Dylan Nadeau-Enright and Michigan State Police Troopers Isaac Cooper and Stephen Strom.

9 — A woman was killed while riding as a passenger on an ORV Sunday, according to Michigan State Police. A death notice submitted by a local funeral home identified the woman as Tina Tosten, age 57. The death notice stated she passed away Sunday, July 7, from injuries sustained in a side-by-side accident.

9 — OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group partnered with Bellin Health to bring a new cardiac catheterization lab which opened on July 9.

10 — On Wednesday, the Delta County Airport welcomed 30 fourth and fifth graders from Hannahville to learn about the aviation field.

11 — The Board of Directors serving the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency/Human Resources Inc. has selected a new executive director. Gary Willoughby has joined the team and will be based in the Escanaba main office at 507 1st Avenue North.

12 — The Annual Trapper’s Convention/Outdoor Expo took place Friday and Saturday, July 12-13 at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.

12 — A decades-long tradition continued this weekend with the 35th annual Manistique Folk Fest on July 12 and 13.

12 — A Wisconsin man was arrested in Schoolcraft County with over two pounds of methamphetamine, according to Michigan State Police at the Manistique Outpost. On July 12, at around 9 p.m., troopers arrested Daniel Likness, 38, of Thiensville, Wis., for operating while intoxicated as well as the possession of illegal narcotics.

13 — The 20th Walk in the Park, a fundraiser that has been organized by four sisters following the death of their father in 2004, took place today in Ludington Park in Escanaba. It was more of a party than in years past, as the current organizers have decided this will be their last year — but they’d love someone else to take over running the event. Proceeds from the walk benefit the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center.

13 — Following technical difficulties that prevented revelers from enjoying a complete fireworks display during the City of Escanaba’s Independence Day celebration last weekend, the city and the pyrotechnics company are working together to make it up to residents. Most likely, the value of the failed fireworks will be applied to the display in 2025.

14 — The Great Lakes Cruising Club, an organization for boaters that provides information and reports on over 1,000 harbors in the region to its members, is in Escanaba this week for their annual rendezvous.

17 — The Ensign Township Volunteer Fire Department has begun building themselves a new building next to their existing fire hall. It will be used for housing ice rescue equipment, which is currently stored on private property in a firefighter’s shed.

18 — Three authors are being inducted into the Upper Peninsula Literary Hall of Fame Thursday. This year will be the second installment of the ceremony. On Thursday, July 18 at 5 p.m., the Escanaba Public Library honored writers Tom Bissell, Elinor Benedict and Gloria Whelan.

19 — A new flag pole will soon be coming to O.B. Fuller Park in memory of Pat Nault, a campground host who served at the park for 12 years. Nault died on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at his home in Hudson, Fla.

24 — The Escanaba City Band will celebrate 100 years of making music in the community with a special concert and picnic event Wednesday in Ludington Park.

24 — Escanaba City Hall looked more like an anachronistic meeting of the county board of commissioners Wednesday, as nine of the 10 primary candidates running for the county board next month weighed in on the issues during a candidate forum. All but two of the candidates at the forum had served on the board at some point in the last three years.

26 — After several years of scoping, testing, and coordinating, solar farms are coming to Delta County. Several landowners in St. Nicholas will be leasing out fields located near the power line on which solar panels will be erected for an estimated 35 years. Invenergy, a Chicago-based renewable energy company, is developing the Renegade Solar Project, which is now owned by Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation.

27 — The annual Marina Fest CAME to the banks of the harbor in Escanaba. The free music and festivities are a celebration of the city’s waterfront and local musicians.

30 — OSF has expanded its campus with the official unveiling of a new clinic.

OSF Healthcare St. Francis & Medical Group held an open house for the new Daniel J. Kobasic Cancer Clinic. The clinic began taking patients back in May, but was officially unveiled today.

31 — A member of the public found a deceased bear at the Days River Pathway on Loop 2. DNR Wildlife Technician Colter Lubben said his office determined that the bear was killed by another animal.

AUGUST

1 — Michigan State Police say a February house explosion in Iron River that left an 80-year-old man dead was the result of “human intervention with unknown intent.” The blast at 820 Cayuga St. was reported at about 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 10. The house was completely demolished and debris was scattered as far as three blocks away. Killed was Gregory Dierkes, 80, who had just moved into the home after moving to Iron River from Florida.

3 — A motorcyclist missing since Saturday has been found dead — the victim of a motorcycle crash, according to the Menominee County Sheriff’s Department. Steven T. Stauch, 58, of Powers had not been heard from since leaving his Faithorn-area business on Saturday, Aug. 3. The sheriff’s department was notified he was missing Monday morning.

4 — The Waterfront Art Festival took place in Escanaba’s Ludington Park.

6 — A WWII lieutenant from Delta County was honored in France last month. Second Lt. Allen Osterberg, a former Delta County resident, specifically of Rock, was honored with a memorial dedication for him and his crew in Épagne-Épagnette, France.

2 — At North Central Area Schools (NCA), a new superintendent is pleased to introduce a new system for children learning at home. Superintendent Travis Depuydt, who stepped into the role on July 1 but has been working in education in the area for 11 years, explained that kids enrolled in the North Central Online Program will have access to the same benefits and opportunities as traditional students. The former Director of Online Learning and Career Readiness at Bark River-Harris Schools, Amanda Norkoli, has also made the leap over to North Central after helping get the online program at Bark River off the ground.

7 — The plan to construct a splash pad in Escanaba on the site of the Webster Wading Pool has been delayed to 2025.

7 — The Escanaba Farmers Market is celebrating its 100 year today as part of National Farmers Market Week this week.

8 — West Nile virus has been found in birds in Delta and Luce counties, according to local health departments.

12 — The 2024 U.P. State Fair begins.

13 — At this year’s U.P. State Fair, to ensure that all of our guests have a positive fair-going experience, the fair will offer a Sensory-Friendly Midway with limited lights and noise on Tuesday, Aug. 13 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

15 — Howard Seid of Rockland in Ontonagon County has been selected as 2024 Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year. He was honored at a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 15 at the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba.

15 — Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist will attend the U.P. State Fair today. He comes in place of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer who was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.

15 — The body of a missing woman from Gulliver has been located, according to the Michigan State Police. Kristen Terrian, 39, was last seen around 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 2 at Michibay Beach near Mansitique Township Park. A search of the area near the beach by MSP canines and the Marine Services Team proved unsuccessful. On Friday, Aug. 9, an unidentified body was discovered in Lake Michigan on the Western Shore of Beaver Island. Dental records were used Aug. 15 to positively identify the body as Terrian.

20 — The Gladstone Public Safety Department in conjunction with the Gladstone School District conducted an active shooter drill.

22 — Bay College unveiled a new center today at its Escanaba campus.

25 — The IXL Historical Museum Board honored its late former charter member Eugene “Geno” Arduin Jr. Geno’s Vintage Day took place from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Hermansville museum complex, W5551 River St.

26 — A local school has a brand new principal, just in time before the start of the school year. Caleb Adams is the new principal at Bark River-Harris Junior High and High School.

27 — The Michigan Association of County Clerks recently met at their annual conference at the Island Resort in Harris to partake in continuing education briefings, elect a new slate of leaders, and reveal the Michigan Association of County Clerk 2024 Clerk of the Year. This year, the honor was bestowed upon Delta County Clerk Nancy Przewrocki.

SEPTEMBER

3 — The Gladstone location of Besse Forest Products has closed its doors. “All the employees lost their jobs over the last month or so,” said Delta County Commissioner Steve Viau during a county board of commissioners meeting.

5 — Deanna Juday of Wautoma, Wis. won $630,084.36 on a slot machine at the Island Resort and Casino in Harris.

7 — A Rapid River home that caught fire was declared a total loss.

9 — Andy Doutree has been named as the new principal at Escanaba Junior High and High School.

12 — An Escanaba Township man who allegedly shot his ex-father-in-law goes to trial next year. Jacob Cronick is scheduled to go to trial the week of March 3, 2025. The trial is expected to last five days.

13 — To celebrate the third anniversary of the founding of the Gladstone Michigan Soo Line Steam Engine #730 Authority, the group hosted the first-ever Railroad Day, held in conjunction with the annual Soo Line Historical and Technical Society’s 2024 Convention, at the Antique Village, located at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.

13 — A Menominee County man was recently sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for delivery of methamphetamine. Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey T. Rogg announced that Edward Lee Britton, aka “Uncle Pork,” 63, of Wilson, was sentenced to three to 20 years in prison for delivery of methamphetamine.

13 — Brothers Ryan and Aaron Deiter recently trekked over 50 miles on Iceland’s famous Laugavegur Trail. The Iceland hike has been a bucket list destination hike since the brothers completed the Inca Trail hike in Peru with younger brother Brett, in 2016.

17 — 22aday.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is partnered with American Legion Tony Revord Post 244 to install a memorial display for veterans who took their own lives. It can be seen at the Veterans Park in Powers. For 30 days, they were at the park each day to install an additional 22 crosses to give the public a visual idea of how significant the loss of veteran lives is due to

suicide.

17 — The Delta County Airport will soon offer nighttime flights, allowing travelers leave on flights in the early morning hours and return to Escanaba the same day. The change, which was announced today during the Delta County Board of Commis- sioners meeting, is expected to take place in December.

20 — The U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo begins today in and around the Ruth Butler Building on the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds.

24 — A former Caspian man already serving a life sentence after a murder conviction in Alabama also has been ordered to spend life in prison for killing a Green Bay man in 2022, only days before the Alabama death. Caleb Anderson, 25, received his second life sentence Monday in Brown County Circuit Court in Green Bay.

25 — Roughly 150 sheep invaded Escanaba. The first-ever North American Hill Sheep Show in the United States is at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.

OCTOBER

3 — The first Pink Fest event was held at Cat-man-dos in Escanaba. The event, sponsored by the Escanaba Daily Press and benefiting the Delta County Cancer Alliance, is one of a series of events where residents could vote on the best-decorated bra. Votes cost $2 each of three for $5.

4 — Firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze that fully-engulfed a wooden garage at 9624 N.5 Road in flames early this afternoon. The garage was a total loss.

9 — A local volunteer fire department’s former treasurer was arraigned in Delta County District Court today for allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars from the department. Todd Anthony Holland, the former secretary/treasurer of the Ford River Township Volunteer Fire Department, is accused of embezzling roughly $70,000. Holland was arraigned in the 94th District Court before Judge Steven C. Parks.

14 — Escanaba Township voted Monday to join in on a legal appeal of a state law set to got into effect next month that critics say strips municipalities of local control over utility-scale solar developments and gives that power to the Michigan Public Service Commission.

14 — The Bonifas Arts Center announces the appointment of Chelsea Hart as the new executive director, effective today.

15 — The city of Manistique passed an ordinance to allow marijuana dispensaries to operate within the city limits.

17 — Four of Escanaba’s community parks will get an upgrade next year, thanks to a grant the city recently received from playground manufacturer GameTime, as well as a donation from the Escanaba Rotary. “We already knew that many of our local neighborhood parks needed to be replaced within the next five years. After having them evaluated, we knew for sure, yes these need to be replaced probably sooner rather than later,” said City Manager Jim McNeil.

21 — A Rock man who pled no contest to shooting a neighbor’s dog that came onto his property was sentenced to a delay of sentence. David Ralph Hayes, age 66, of 3474 St. Nicholas 31st Road, faced a charge of killing/torturing – third degree, but sentencing has been delayed for the next 12 months.

21 — Roughly 112 high school juniors and seniors converged in Manistique for the inaugural Power UP Student and Leadership Conference.

24 — Six sawmills in Michigan and Wisconsin that were once a part of Besse Forest Products Group are officially for sale, but the clock is ticking for interested buyers, who must submit their sealed bids by Oct. 31. The mills — located in Gladstone, Baraga, and Wisconsin’s Goodman, Mattoon, Rice Lake, and Ladysmith — are available individually, in multiples, or as a package of all six.

28 — A claim by Former Delta Conservation District CEO Rory Mattson arguing the Conservation District owes him $4,000 for his portion of a jointly-owned dump trailer has been thrown out of small claims court.

NOVEMBER

5 — In a historic, city-charter-changing vote, Gladstone’s residents voted to end the city’s power to levy special assessments.

5 — Delta County joined in a red wave that swept the nation, with the majority of residents casting votes for Donald Trump (R) to serve as the next U.S. president. Of the 21,615 ballots cast, 21,482 (99.38%) included a vote for who should serve as the next president of the United States. Trump received 13,800 of those votes (64.17%), while Kamala Harris (D) received 7,355 votes (34.20%).

11 — Delta County’s Veterans Day ceremony was a bit different this year. Instead of being held at Gardens of Rest, the Escanaba’s ceremony was held at the Delta Chamber of Commerce building. The venue gave veterans an opportunity to visit the Upper Peninsula Military Museum, which is housed the same building at 1001 N. Lincoln Rd.

19 — The demolition of the old Delta County jail building began Tuesday. The jail has been vacant since the new jail attached to the Delta County Service Center was officially opened in June of 2019. After a tumultuous few years — which included a potential developer that stopped returning the city of Escanaba’s calls — the property was handed over to the Terrace Bay Hotel, which plans to open a four-story, 80-room hotel on the site.

21 –Twenty local, random residents were pulled over for traffic violations, but they were given a turkey instead of a ticket.

29 — Escanaba’s lead service line replacement projects are winding down for the season. November saw the installation of 12 new lead service lines, bringing the total lines replaced to 620. In addition, the city has replaced a total of 10,122 feet of water main as part of the project.

DECEMBER

2 — Two Upper Peninsula paper mills are receiving a significant investment coming in 2025. On Monday, the Swedish company Billerud held its Capital

Markets Day in Stockholm, where it announced it is investing roughly $125 million in the Escanaba and Quinnesec paper mills. According to a press release, the largest project involves modernizing and rebuilding the Escanaba Mill woodyard.

3 — Delta County will soon be looking for new leadership at the Delta County Airport, just a year after the hire of Robert Ranstadler as the airport’s manager. Ranstadler announced his resignation Tuesday, only hours after the resignation Assistant Airport Manager Robyn Morrison.

5 — Escanaba Public Safety K9s Cigo and Enzo were officially sworn in on Thursday, along with their owners Public Safety Sergeant Austin Young and Public Safety Officer Aaron Young, at the Escanaba City Council meeting. Austin and Aaron both signed for Enzo and Cigo as holding a pen was not ideal for the new officers.

9 — A former local insurance agent was sentenced in Delta County Circuit Court to four months in jail and probation and ordered to pay over $60,000 in restitution. Richard Paul Jensen, 71, of Gladstone, pled no contest to one count of embezzlement, agent or trustee $1000 or more but less than $20,000. Jensen is the former owner and agent of Farm Bureau in Escanaba and embezzled thousands of dollars from multiple individuals during his time with the agency.

10 — The Taste of the Island: Holiday Edition cooking show at the Island Resort and Casino was held today. In addition to cookie decorating and cooking demonstrations, guests of the event were able to try a variety of dishes, participate in a 50/50 drawing to support the Salvation Army, shop from vendors, and share their own favorite holiday recipes. The holiday cooking show was sponsored by the Daily Press.

12 — Over 70 fifth-grade students graduated from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program recently at Escanaba Upper Elementary School, the first graduating class for the program in 15 years.

21 — Escanaba Public Safety officers battled a fire at the Stonehouse restaurant in Escanaba Saturday morning. The building was a total loss.