On the request of the USDA Rural Development the L’Anse Village Council voted unanimously to raise the village water rate two to three percent. Rural Development is the bond holder for the village water system.
   Village Manager Bob LaFave said the average residential customer will see an increase in the water bill of about $2 per month. Water, sewer, electric and garbage services are billed by the village together, but customers can see the water rate itemized. The two to three percent increase will apply to residential and commercial rates.

   The unemployment rate in the Upper Peninsula increased during the month of December to 14.5 percent, a gain of 1.6 percentage points over November’s 12.9 percent. Once again Baraga County had the highest unemployment rate in the UP, and State of Michigan, at 27.6 percent.
   All 15 Upper Peninsula counties posted jobless rate increases during December, with monthly rate gains ranging from 0.4 to 6.7 percentage points. Mackinac County recorded the largest increase, as the jobless rate jumped by 6.7 percentage points, due to seasonal job losses.

   At its regular meeting of Jan. 18, 2010, the Baraga County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees moved forward with the scheduled closure of the hospital’s Skilled Nursing Unit (SNU).
   The board discontinued future admissions to SNU with the intent to close the long term care unit by Sept. 30, 2010.

IN HIS ELEMENT--Tony Selkey had a passion for his corn. He was featured in the Sentinel at harvest time in September, 2008. Selkey will be missed by many and rememb ered for his contributions to the community.

   Tony Selkey’s untimely death at age 52 leaves a large hole in the community. The owner and president of Selkey Manufacturing, Inc. was as busy helping people in need as he was leading his metal fabricating business and crew. Selkey died at Marquette General Hospital on Jan. 27, 2010, where he was a patient for two days.
   “Ski” as he was affectionately called by just about everyone, was always willing to help someone in need. That spirit he carried from his parents, the late Robert and Gladys Selkey, founders of the Baraga fabricating shop. They made it a point to give to the community, and Tony made sure that never stopped after he took over at the shop in 1992.

   Each day in L’Anse and Baraga, approximately 35 children are kept after school.
   Disturbing trend in education-slash-society? Nah. It’s time for Great Explorations!
   The after-school program is a boon to parents who work and children who play--after their homework is done of course. Great Explorations, or GE, provides a snack and recess, then tutoring and homework help, rounding out the day with educational clubs that focus on fun.

   On Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, Baraga County Memorial Hospital successfully issued bonds to finance the new hospital project.
   A total of $28.7 million was issued in two taxable bond series. The two bond series consisted of $25.1 million of Build America Bonds and a $3.7 million issue covering refinancing of the current debt and other costs not eligible for Build America Bond financing.
   Build America Bonds were created under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for public entities to complete new construction, acquisition or rehabilitation. Borrowers receive a subsidy of 35 percent of their interest coupon cost for the life of the loans.

   Finlandia University’s Elementary Education program has completed the second of three steps leading to full program accreditation by receiving probationary approval from the Michigan State Board of Education.
   “This is a major step forward for the program and, most importantly, for our students,” said Judith Budd, dean of Finlandia’s Suomi College of Arts & Sciences. “For the last six years, Finlandia faculty members have worked tirelessly to move this program forward toward accreditation.”

   A waiver of arraignment has been entered in Baraga County Circuit Court on behalf of James Scott Bergerson, 27, of L’Anse. A not guilty plea has been recorded in the case charging Bergerson with Child Abuse, Third Degree. The case involves facial injuries to an 18 month old boy having taken place in December, 2009.
   Bergerson had been scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Jan. 27, with his attorney, James Nancarrow of Marquette. Arraignment was waived and the documents sent by mail. A pre-trial hearing before Circuit Judge Charles Goodman is set for Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. Bergerson is free on bond, having posted 10 percent of his $50,000 bond.