9/28/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed testimony late last week urging the Michigan Public Service Commission to cut UPPCO’s $17.3 million electric rate hike request by 42%.  A Friday afternoon press release from the AG’s office says UPPCO’s rate hike would amount to a 15.6% average rate increase for residential customers. AG Nessel, along with the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan, saying UPPCO should receive a rate increase of no more than $9.9 million. UPPCO says the rate increase reflects the costs of maintaining a safe and reliable electric system and the investments needed to serve customers across the Upper Peninsula.  UPPCO is the electric provider for much of the U.P. including much of Ontonagon County.  Communities on the Gogebic Range are served by Xcel Energy.

9/28/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - A 28-year-old man who was arrested after a serious crash on the Mackinac Bridge last week has been arraigned.  Redane Smith was arraigned on one count of reckless driving causing serious impairment of a body function his bond was set at $100,000 cash/surety after two cars driving recklessly crashed on the bridge according to police.  Four people were hurt in that crash that closed the bridge for several hours.  Smith is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 13.

Pumpkinfest 50/50 number

BESSEMER – The Bessemer Pumpkin Festival winning 50/50 ticket number was drawn last night.  The winning ticket number is 6622.  A prize worth $9,001.