ANOTHER PACKED MARQUETTE COUNTY WEEK IN THE BOOKS!

Whew!  What a week!  From politics to medical marijuana, Boy Scout celebrations to brain tumor and cancer benefits, ham radios to Northern Michigan University updates, school bond and millage elections to YMCA visits, it was all in there!  Wow!  We do more in one week on Mark and Walt in the Morning than many other “community oriented” morning shows do all month!  HA!  We love it!

But enough of this self-serving clap trap, here a few more Marquette County community interviews and updates for your perusal and consideration.

ENJOY!

ISHPEMING SCHOOL DISTRICT REGROUPS AFTER ELECTION RESULTS.

ROBERT BERTUCCI.

Following a defeat of a school bond proposal that would have allowed the Ishpeming Public Schools to re-do and expand the Birchview School building and get out of the C.L. Phelps building, we spoke with the Ishpeming Schools’ business manager Robert Bertucci to find out what is next for the school district to do to adjust their budgets and address a 400-thousand dollar shortfall for next year.  To listen to the complete interview with Robert Bertucci, please click “HERE“.

UPPER PENINSULA BRAIN TUMOR CENTER UPDATE.

DR. ROBERT WINN and DR. RICHARD ROVIN.

Dr. Richard Rovin, Neurosurgeon at Marquette General Health Systems and Dr. Robert Winn, Professor of Biology at Northern Michigan University joined us to discuss the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center, a collaborative effort between the two institutions to increase training of students and the effective treatment of brain tumors in patients from Upper Michigan.  To listen to select highlights of the interview with Dr.’s Rovin and Winn, please take a moment and click “HERE“.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY END OF SEMESTER UPDATE.

NMU PRESIDENT DR. LES WONG.

Northern Michigan University President Dr. Les Wong visited our studios to give us a semester wrap-up along with a look ahead for the summer and the next year and a half or so for Northern.  Avoiding the usual blather about budget cuts, Dr. Wong outlined plans for changes in programs and facilities at NMU and what may be some of the strongest enrollment numbers for not only the fall, but the summer semester and the rest of the year.  Wong says the positive numbers bode well for the rest of  year and for the students and the University.  To listen to Dr. Wong’s morning show interview, please click “HERE“.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!

CHEERS!

-Walt

ELECTION RESULTS FROM AROUND MARQUETTE COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

ISHPEMING PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOND PROPOSAL

Should the Ishpeming Schools borrow $11.2 million to expand and re-do the Birchview School and close the Phelps School?

Yes: 579

No: 756

MARQUETTE ALGER REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING MILLAGE REQUEST

Should an increase of .75 mills be levied on principal residences for 20 years for special education purposes?

Yes: 1,912

No: 2,561

ALGER COUNTY RESULTS

AUTRAIN-ONOTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Should 18 mills be levied on the principal residences for operations of the AuTrain Onota Schools?

Yes: 77

No: 38

MUNSING PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board of Education Member

Jason Brisson – 298

Alma Oatley – 179

Walter Loope – 126

Kris Petoskey – 103

Mark Cabinaw – 75

Laura Felker – 68

SUPERIOR-CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board of Education Member

Ben Bartlett – 146

Barbara K. Tromley – 107

Heidi K. Swajanen – 68

Christian Young – 63

MORE WITH THE ISHPEMING SCHOOLS ABOUT THEIR BONDING REQUEST.

BOARD PRESIDENT ROBERT NADEAU.

Robert Nadeau, President of the Ishpeming School District Board of Education, visited the studios this morning to discuss the $11-point-2 million bond issue before voters on May 4th.  The proposal will ask voters to decide the fate of a request to sell bonds to generate the funding for a major consolidation and reconstruction project for the School District.  Nadeau also commented on published reports saying the Ishpeming City Council is not in favor of approving the proposal.  To listen to Nadeau’s reply to that question and more, click “HERE” to listen to the interview.  For more information about the bond proposal and the Ishpeming School District’s plans, log on to their website by clicking “HERE“.

ISHPEMING SCHOOL DISTRICT SEEK MULTIMILLION DOLLAR SCHOOL BOND.

ISHPEMING SCHOOL'S BUSINESS MANAGER ANTHONY BERTUCCI.

The Ishpeming School District is moving forward with a 11.2 million dollar bond proposal, and we sat down with District Business Manager Anthony Bertucci to find out more.  According to Bertucci, the Board of Education is asking for approval to sell bonds in the amount of $11,240,000 for construction at the Birchview School.  The construction includes 7 classrooms, a library, a dedicated computer lab, remodeling the existing gym into a cafeteria/full service kitchen, fire suppression system,  remodeling the existing areas of the school, a music room, restrooms, gymnasium, and making the current cafeteria into an art room.  When completed, the Birchview School will be a new school.  The Michigan Department of Treasury has reviewed and approved the project and has authorized the Board to place the proposal on the ballot.  The State of Michigan will guarantee the bonds for investors.

To listen to the interview with Anthony Bertucci, please click “HERE“.  For more information about the Bond Proposal and the Ishpeming School District, please click “HERE“.

UPPER MICHIGAN SCHOOLS CLOSED DUE TO THE FLU  (10/22/09):

NICE Community Schools – Closed through Friday 10/23/09.

Ishpeming Public Schools – Closed through Monday 10/26/09.

Dollar Bay / Tamarack Schools – Closed through Friday 10/23/09.

Escanaba Public Schools – Closed through Friday 10/23/09.

Holy Name School in Escanaba – Closed through Friday 10/23/09.

St. Francis de Sale School in Manistique – Closed through Friday 10/23/09.

Pelkie Elementary School – Closed through Friday 10/23/09.

MARQUETTE CO. HEALTH DEPARTMENT H1N1 HOTLINE INFORMATION:

An H1N1 Hotline has been established by the Marquette County Emergency
Services Department with support of the Marquette County Health Department. The Hotline number is 475-1176 or 475-1175. A free 800 # is also available at 888-363-9708.  It will be staffed from 8AM to 5PM today through Tuesday, October 27th.

Residents can call this number to find out when clinics will be scheduled as well as information on how to avoid the flu and when to seek medical care.

The Marquette County Health Department clinic for priority populations scheduled for next Tuesday, October 27th is filled.  The Department will be announcing early next week future clinic dates as vaccine becomes available.

MARQUETTE GENERAL HEALTH SYSTEMS NOTICE:

Marquette General Health System has implemented the following visitor restrictions:

• Children under the age of 14 are not permitted to enter Hospital or Health System buildings unless for a medical appointment or an ED visit.
• In the Family Birthing Center, visitors are limited to labor coaches and grandparents; and in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, visitors are limited to parents.
• If ill with fever, chills, body aching, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, individuals are asked to stay home, and to not visit patients.
• Only two visitors are permitted per patient.
• Visiting hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Furthermore, MGHS is also canceling the following events as a precautionary measure to prevent the potential spread of flu with a large gathering of people:

• Journey through Breast Cancer Series: October 29
• Free Halloween Candy Screening: October 31

The visitor restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCEMENT:

Residence Hall Trick-or-treating Canceled

The Halloween trick-or-treating event held annually in the Northern Michigan University residence halls has been canceled as a precautionary measure to prevent the possible spread of seasonal or H1N1 flu virus.  The event had been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31.  The event will return next Halloween. For questions, contact the NMU Housing and Residence Life office at 906-227-2620.