Good morning, Marquette.

The Carter Family won the top prize in the local Christmas Lights Contest while Gary Bell claimed the Light Your Way category.

More than 20 households competed and the contest coordinator urged residents to visit the displays.

Inside Saint Michael’s Catholic Church today, Saint Vincent de Paul hosted its annual Christmas giveaway where more than 250 families shopped free for toys, clothing, and gifts; donations from local businesses + contributions from community members helped ensure over 230 children received presents despite rising costs.

The Negaunee Planning Commission approved a new dog park near the Jim Thomas Pavilion in Old Town, where both small and large breeds can play and use a doggy bag station (with funding and volunteer maintenance provided by Irontown Dog Park pending a city council land use agreement).

Brits & Brews is a fundraising concert supporting JJ Packs that will feature British hits from the 60s and 70s by local musicians at Ore Dock Brewing Company.

The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20.

UPPCO presented a $10,000 check to United Way as part of the 2025 Canathon on Tuesday, Dec.

16 in Marquette. The annual donation supports local food pantries + reaffirms the company’s commitment to community care.

Higher Love Cannabis Co. in Marquette laid off 61 workers at its nine locations due to a new 24% wholesale cannabis tax that will take effect Jan.

1. President Joni Moore said state and federal taxes now take 67% of every dollar & the layoffs are needed to sustain operations.

Marquette native Mike Walker remastered his band’s 2002 album “How’d you Feel about Talkin’ to Me” in a tribute following the loss of his bandmates.

The album (released digitally in June and on vinyl in August) is now available at local music shops.

The Michigan Department of Labor awarded $1M in grants to 27 Upper Peninsula businesses to support training for 176 new hires and 430 current employees in high-demand positions.

The Going Pro Talent Fund continues to help local businesses access skilled talent (boosting careers at home).

An interactive map from Great Lakes PFAS Action Network now shows where Michigan waters are impacted by PFAS, including 24 UP locations like the Chocolay River.

The map adds over 100 new fishing advisories to the state's annual Eat Safe Fish guide to help limit exposure.

Marquette County secured a $400,000 U.S. EPA Brownfield Community-wide Assessment Grant to fund environmental assessments, cleanup and planning for contaminated sites in Ishpeming and K.I.

Sawyer; the grant will support community outreach in the region.

Allie Barlow, Sydney Bartels, McKenzie Gruner, and Liesl Haugen of the Northern Michigan volleyball team earned academic honors when they were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team (announced Tuesday).

St. Thomas Tommies beat NMU Wildcats 4-3 in Marquette when the Tommies rallied in the third period with three unanswered goals and Lucas Wahlin scored a game-winner with one second left.

NMU goalie Gramme (33 saves) made a strong effort before the Wildcats lost their early lead.

Northern Michigan men’s basketball team secured a 109 to 52 win over Marian on Sunday afternoon by outscoring them 61 to 21 in the second half.

Jackson Dudek scored a career high 29 points in 22 minutes and helped improve the Wildcats’ record to 8 to 1.

Freshman forward Tobias Pitka from NMU will represent Slovakia at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

The tournament runs from Dec. 26, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026 in Saint Paul & Minneapolis and marks his second appearance after previously earning an assist in international play.

Winter Solstice Celebration with The Make-Believe Spurs

4-10 p.m. — Ore Dock Brewing Co. — Free admission — Celebrate the winter solstice with enchanting performances by The Make-Believe Spurs.

A Classical Christmas with Darrius Morton

An evening of classical Christmas carols sung by tenor Darrius Morton at St Paul’s Episcopal Church. 7:00 pm