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February 2006 News

Mike Lahti Announces Candidacy for 110th District House Seat 

By Paula McCambridge. Posted 02/24/2006  Updated 02/25/06

HOUGHTON -- In the first of a five-stop campaign kick-off, Mike Lahti, chair of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners, announced his candidacy for the 110th District State House Seat on the steps of the Houghton County Courthouse this morning, Feb. 24. Lahti listed a number of issues he considers of primary concern to citizens of the Western Upper Peninsula, topping the list with jobs. “We’ve seen the loss of too many jobs. The people of the Western U.P. need a representative whose number one job is jobs,” Lahti said. “I will fight for working families." Lahti, a Democrat, is also vice chairman of the Board of Trustees at Finlandia University, president of the Michigan Works!, chairman of the Houghton County United Way, owner of the State Farm insurance agency in Hancock and real estate developer. He also serves on the board of the Western U.P. Health Department. more
Photo: Mike Lahti, candidate for the 110th District State House Seat. (Photo © 2006 and courtesy Mike Lahti and State Farm Insurance Co. Reprinted with permission.)

Behind the scenes: MTU Winter Carnival 2006

By Wade Wainio. Posted 02/10/2006  

HOUGHTON -- Keweenaw Now's newest reporter, Wade Wainio of Atlantic Mine, interviewed some Michigan Tech students Wednesday night as they put finishing touches on their Winter Carnival snow statues. He happened to catch some photos of what turned out to be the Number 1 winner among the fraternities: Delta Sigma Phi's entry, "Aladdin in the Land of Frozen Sand."  more
Photo: Delta Sigma Phi's entry, "Aladdin in the Land of Frozen Sand," depicts a market scene in front of a castle, including this impressive snake. (Photo © 2006 Wade Wainio)

Heikinpäivä mittens decorate Hancock

Posted 02/09/2006  

HANCOCK -- Have you seen the colorful mittens in downtown Hancock? Some of the best from the Heikinpäivä parade line the sidewalk in front of Hancock Middle School, and others are  dispersed through the downtown area. Community Artist Mary Wright, the originator of the mitten project, has extended it to include an art project for painting more mittens to be mounted on Hancock's lampposts in the coming week. Wright says she likes to engage the community in creating everyday objects. For her a mitten represents warmth, protection, childhood and Grandma. Keweenaw Now brings readers some memories of the 2006 Heikinpäivä with photos of some of our favorite mittens and additional photos contributed by Wade Wainio of Atlantic Mine and Sharon Cuffe of Chassell. more

Levin, Stabenow post reasons for anti-Alito vote

Posted 02/06/2006  

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Michigan Sen. Carl Levin recently sent constituents an email message explaining his vote against the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito for the U.S. Supreme Court.. In the message, Levin states, "Specifically, I am concerned about Judge Alito’s record of undue deference to the executive branch. At many points throughout his professional career, Judge Alito has advocated and ruled in favor of unwise extensions of executive branch powers. After carefully reviewing Judge Alito’s record and closely following his confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, I am not convinced he would help provide the essential check on executive power that is required by the Constitution and has protected the liberties of American citizens throughout our history.” For the full text of Sen. Levin's statement, visit his Web site. Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who also voted against Alito, said in her statement on the nomination, "Michigan families are worried. They’re worried that they won’t have a job tomorrow. They’re worried that they’re going to lose their pensions and health care benefits that they’ve worked hard for their entire lives. We in Michigan need a Supreme Court nominee who will stand with us and with our families -- and Judge Alito is not that nominee." Visit Sen. Stabenow's Web site for the full text of her statement.

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