Good morning, Marquette.

UPCROSS has announced opportunities for board members and volunteers as it gears up for cyclocross races this season.

The organization plans to host the Fat Bike Series and other events across the winter landscapes in the U.P.

UPAWS hosted Raise the Woof at Up North Lodge in Gwinn as a comedy fundraiser for pet food, shelter and veterinary costs.

The event, normally held in Ishpeming, moved to Gwinn this year and featured two headlining comedians plus raffles to support local animals.

The SVdP Marquette Thrift Store held LeeAnn Day on Jan.

9 to collect donations for former employee LeeAnn Swan, who lost her home in a Thanksgiving house fire. Donations will help her recovery as she and her son receive treatment at a local burn center (phone available for questions).

Knights of Columbus will host a spaghetti dinner and silent auction at St. Peter's Cathedral on Saturday, Jan.

17, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Casa Calabria provides dinner and local donations will fund *Care Clinic* supplies for women and families.

Rare Earth Goods Cafe in Ishpeming is raising funds for new kitchen equipment via a GoFundMe campaign that has already collected $5,000; chef Dylan Larson said he will buy a panini press, microwave, coffee maker, espresso machine & extra catering supplies.

Copper Island Academy earned a 99.03 school index score for the 2024-2025 school year, thanks to dedicated teachers and engaged students, and is expanding its campus with a new high school building for 11th and 12th grades.

A $500,000 matching gift campaign is underway to outfit the building.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is partnering with local groups to plow over two dozen ice-fishing access sites in the U.P. to keep boating routes safe this winter.

The agency will assess site usage and infrastructure in spring.

The Michigan DNR completed its fall fish stocking program as crews from the Marquette State Fish Hatchery stocked over 27,000 fall fingerlings & 250 brook trout at 27 U.P. sites, boosting local angling prospects.

The effort supports sustainable fish populations for future catches.

The U.P. Hospice Foundation will hold a grief counseling training on March 13 at the Northern Center on the NMU campus, offering mental health professionals additional tools (a training toolbox) to support children, teens and families.

At Bay Mills Health Center in Chippewa County, dental therapist Dana Obey launched an effort to ease dental care access across the U.P. by holding a dental health session in Brimley + she aims to reduce long travel times for care.

The Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race starts just before 9 a.m. today at Headquarters Lake State Forest Campground in Luce County, where junior mushers ages 6 to 11 and 44 pro and sport mushers compete in a 26-year event that boosts local business and ties.

Northern Michigan University head football coach Matt Janus announced on Friday that Ryan Bright will serve as defensive coordinator and Peter (Boomer) Roepke as offensive coordinator at a press conference in Marquette.

Both coaches bring decades of experience from multiple collegiate programs.