Good morning, Marquette.

Chocolay Township held a ribbon-cutting on June 30 to celebrate new volleyball courts at Lions Field Recreation Area along M-28.

The project transformed an underused sand pit into a community spot for recreation and now seeks donations for added amenities (such as picnic tables).

The fishing platform at Dam 3 Reservoir on the Escanaba River is closed for repairs after it sustained structural damage over the weekend.

UPPCO is assessing the damage — the hydroelectric facility remains fully operational.

Marquette Symphony Orchestra will hold a free summer concert Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the new Peg Hirvonen Bandshell.

The performance (American Fantasy: A Salute to the Land We Love) will preview its fall season and move to Friday if rain occurs.

NMU Music Department launches its free summer concert series today at 5 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall as professors perform early 1920s jazz and add more instruments into the show, according to department head Mark Flaherty.

Marquette boat charter businesses are struggling as gas is 34% higher and diesel 53% above last year's costs — operators like Great Idea Charters report fewer bookings and City Parks notes lower fuel and launch pass sales at Cinder Pond Marina.

AAA reported Michigan motorists pay $3.96 per gallon for regular unleaded, 14 cents lower than last week.

Prices are 25 cents less than last month but 80 cents higher than last year, with the highest cost in Mackinac County and the lowest in Alger County ($3.91).

GasBuddy’s survey of 4,913 stations shows Michigan’s average gasoline price fell 13.6 cents to $3.93 per gallon today — marking a clear drop compared to prices last month.

Diesel prices nationwide also declined by 11.8 cents per gallon.

NMU has secured state funding for part of a $23 million project to move the College of Business to a new addition on the Hedgcock Building — a move that will consolidate faculty and student spaces for better campus connectivity.

Bay College and Laerdal Medical will host the Great Lakes Mini SUN simulation workshop on July 17 at the Bay College Escanaba campus (clinical educators, simulation specialists, and local ISDs can attend free interactive sessions, networking, and meals from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Researchers from Notre Dame released a study showing PFAS chemicals build up in the Great Lakes food web over 42 years—dropping in lower lakes after industry phase-outs while remaining unchanged in Lake Superior because of its large size.

On Monday evening, the Forsyth Township Planning Commission approved a one-year permit for a Room at the Inn transitional home on Titan Street in KI Sawyer that will provide 120 days of state-funded emergency housing for up to two families (families will also receive groceries, gas cards and case management).

On Monday, West End Health Foundation awarded $45,729 in grants to local groups in the west end working to address food insecurity.

Funding supports programs at United Way, Marquette-Alger RESA, Partridge Creek Farm Inc., Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Feeding America West Michigan.

Local youth soccer teams are energized by the World Cup as players imitate televised moves and coaches adopt new techniques to improve skills — the excitement has renewed focus on safe, competitive play in community leagues.

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.