Good morning, Marquette.

Paul and Gina Wilson of Liberty Farms plan to purchase the historic Toonerville Trolley and move it to their Skandia property as part of a living history museum honoring their late son (Neo).

They began fundraising two weekends ago and will offer rides on a mile-long track when funds allow.

After a parvovirus outbreak forced a temporary closure earlier this month, UPAWS in Sands Township reopened Tuesday for walk-in adoptions (no appointment needed) for dogs, cats, and small animals; puppies will be available for adoption after finishing their vaccinations in the coming weeks.

Today, Marquette's longest table community picnic brings neighbors together at Marquette Commons as part of Spread Goodness Day.

The free event welcomes families with takeout or homemade food and fun for all ages (chalk art, bubbles, and face painting) to strengthen community ties.

The new Peg Hirvonen Bandshell will debut with a dedication concert at 7 p.m. Thursday at Presque Isle+ a look back shows the venue’s evolution from its 1903 bandstand beginnings to decades of local gatherings.

Marquette's Innovate SmartZone created 53 jobs and launched 11 high-tech businesses in FY 2025, according to its Impact Report.

The group secured $3.2 million in follow-on funding and will soon roll out a Scale Fast model to help tech startups grow.

Nine U.P. businesses — including Marquette's Kognisjon Bryggeri which received $25,000 — are part of 69 statewide recipients announced Tuesday by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to support downtown areas under the Match on Main program.

Gas prices in Michigan fell 18.3 cents per gallon to $3.97 today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 4,913 stations, and are down 69.3 cents from a month ago while remaining 70.8 cents above last year's level + the cheapest station was $3.38 and the priciest was $5.19.

Many daycares are full for summer, but Harbor Light Early Education near Messiah Lutheran is adding classrooms for next fall and summer to meet high demand, while the Peter White Public Library offers a free summer reading program with story time and a book fair this Thursday and Friday.

Bothwell Middle School recognized many 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students by naming them to the Honor Roll for Semester 2 of the 2025-2026 school year in Marquette.

A west end bee paused on a flower recently, captured in a photo (courtesy of Victoria Frailing Photography).

USDA held a roundtable Tuesday in Marquette to introduce a Rural Opportunity Zone program under the Tax Cut Act that lets investors reinvest $1M profits to boost local jobs.

Board Chairman Joe Derocha said the county may be named a zone, with applications opening July 1 (pending decision).

MDARD announced new domestic animal movement requirements to keep New World screwworm out of state starting today.

The updated rules apply to certain warm-blooded animals, set guidelines for wound care and documentation, and include resources (on the new NWS webpage) to help protect livestock and pet health.

Gwinn 4th of July Celebration

Fireworks July 4 — Peter Nordeen Park — Celebrate our 250th with festivities and a parade.

Youth Sailing Lessons 2026

10 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. or 2 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. — Marquette Yacht Club — $225 per week — Learn to sail or improve your skills with fun lessons for kids ages 8-17.

Marquette Farmers Market

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Marquette Commons — Free entry — Discover vibrant native plants while supporting local vendors at this enchanting market.