Good morning, Marquette.

Veteran Chris Lakkala returned home almost 29 years later to replace benches at the Little League Baseball field behind Greenland Township Hall on Tuesday.

He also works with local groups (Lions Club and American Legion) to keep his hometown thriving.

Moxiemoms 906 will host the Little Angels Memorial Walk on May 30 at the Presque Isle Pavilion; guests will meet at 9 a.m. + start the walk at 9:30 a.m. to support families who lost a child during pregnancy.

Travel Marquette launched the Brew Pass to encourage both locals and tourists to try area breweries + including Ore Dock Brewing Company, Blackrocks Brewery and Upper Peninsula Brewing Company.

The program ends Sept. 13 and prizes must be claimed by Sept. 18.

Starting Monday, June 8 through Aug.

31, 13 U.P. libraries offer free lunch to kids and young adults under the Gather 2 Grow program by Feeding America West Michigan, with meals at Negaunee Public Library on Monday, Wednesday & Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m.

The Marquette Rotary Club awarded grants totaling over $53k at ore Dock Brewing to 31 groups working on projects like an inclusive play area from West Branch Township and community services through the YMCA (funded by summer events).

Applications for new grants will open this winter.

Marquette Area Sister Cities Partnership seeks host families for seven visitors from Higashiomi, Japan who will visit from July 19 to July 29 to celebrate 49 years of the sister cities program.

Their schedule includes two host-family days and community events.

On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Peter White Public Library Community Room hosts a free, family-friendly event with music, pizza, popcorn and poetry.

Renowned performers including Ronnie Ferguson, Beverly Matherne, Jesse Koenig (current Upper Peninsula poet laureate) and Jeff Kass will entertain the audience.

Following Memorial Day, Marquette gas stations report prices dropping 20 cents to an average of $4.63 per gallon as Midwest refineries resume full operations.

AAA advises drivers to shop around for the best savings (stations vary by location).

Marquette’s Moosewood Nature Center will host a presentation on native bees and planting by Michelle Wietek on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. A native plant sale beginning at 11 a.m. will offer greenhouse and overwintered plants while benefiting the center.

The 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference opened Tuesday on Mackinac Island as Michigan leaders gathered to address long-term economic, educational, and demographic challenges.

Conference Chair Bob Riney warned of a negative trend spanning 20 to 25 years and called for bipartisan collaboration as sessions continue through Thursday.

UPAWS is managing a case of canine parvovirus from a recent litter of puppies and has paused dog surrenders and stray intakes (the Dog Park is closed) until safe conditions return.

Shelter staff continue to provide round-the-clock care for the affected animals.

Bee Positive & Plant Sale

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Moosewood Nature Center — RSVP required — Discover bee habitat and shop for native plants to support local wildlife.

Lasers on the Ore Dock

10:15 PM - 12:15 AM — Lower Harbor Ore Dock — Free entry — Experience a breathtaking laser display illuminating the night sky over Lake Superior.

69th Annual Kiwanis Chicken Barbeque

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Marquette Lakeview Arena — Drive-Thru only — Enjoy half a chicken meal and support local community projects.

K-Pop Golden Show

3:00 – 4:30 PM — Marquette Lakeview Arena — Family-friendly fun — Dance to the latest K-Pop hits and enjoy unexpected performances.