Good morning, Marquette.

Marquette father John DeMay held a vigil outside a Los Angeles courthouse today where parents honored children lost to social media, gathering silently for 2,000 seconds just days before a landmark social media addiction trial begins.

The trial will cover 24 cases, including his own.

Operation Action U.P. will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, Feb.

12 at Northern Michigan University, where business leaders will network & hear keynote speeches by InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante & InitiativeOne Leadership Institute CEO Tracy Johnson as four businesses are honored with Excellence Awards.

Lakenenland, the sculpture park, is closed to snowmobilers after two days of vandalism altered sculptures and damaged property; only neighbors on M-28 & Shot Point Drive may use the park to access the trail.

Vendor applications for the Blueberry Festival are open with entries due Friday, April 24 at 4:00 p.m.—artists can also submit poster designs for a chance at a $400 cash prize as voting runs May 1 to May 29.

A local column highlights Marquette’s vibrant thrift and antique scene and recounts a family trip to a hidden basement shop at The Forks in Winnipeg, where vintage finds impressed visitors (from comics to collectibles).

The report recommends local spots like Fancy-Free, Pak Ratz, and The Better Half.

Cancer Care of Marquette County raised $227,000 to support 142 local patients and families during fiscal year 2025.

The group credited generous local donors + community fundraisers for the increase over previous years.

Three sled dog races, UP 200, Midnight Run, and Jackpine 30, are scheduled for next week in downtown Marquette with Opening Ceremonies beginning Friday, Feb.

13 at 6:30 p.m. and Race Headquarters opening Wednesday at the Holiday Inn.

Tonight, the annual Meijer State Games kicked off with the Heikki Lunta Winter Festival in downtown Negaunee and will continue through Sunday.

The event features Olympic-style competitions including sled hockey and snowshoeing and draws 2,000 to 2,500 athletes from Michigan and neighboring states (per coordinator Courtney Roberson).

NMU Women's Swim team earned silver in the 200 free relay on the GLIAC Championship finals evening in Holland, Mich.

The team holds second place in points & will compete in tomorrow's events with prelims at 10 a.m. and finals at 5:30 p.m.

Marquette Senior High School won a conference ski meet on Tuesday at Marquette Mountain with the boys and girls teams sweeping the slalom and giant slalom events — Lake Skytta and Sydney Kuhl led the dominant finish.

Marquette boys swam and dived to a 95-81 win over Houghton Tuesday at the Sentinels pool, while Gremlins girls lost 104-80 in their dual-meet.

Marquette will host Manistique today at 3:30 p.m. and face Houghton again Tuesday before the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Finals.

Next Stop Comedy Show

8-9:30 p.m. — Upper Peninsula Brewing Company — Starts at $27.86 — Enjoy a hilarious evening with a new line-up of comedians each month.