4,000 gallon diesel fuel/gas spill – huge clean up effort – and victims remembered – U.S.-41 is one lane over bridge with help from alternating stop lights – HAZMAT: Extremely terrible crash in Chassell, MI closes U.S. Highway 41 – At least one person killed, other people are trapped, hurt – in crash involving four vehicles and one is an overturned leaking semi-tanker fuel truck

URGENT – U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 2-4-18 8 p.m. ET = some more details on terrible crash:

Accident caused huge fuel spill

Over 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel/gas spilled – and much of the oily mass dumped in the Sturgeon River – will require a lot of remediation – and the clean up is underway now

Names of those involved in the accident have been released:

Accident victim 45-year-old Christine Juntunen of Hubbell, MI

The victim was 45-year-old Christine Juntunen of Hubbell, MI

45-year-old Christine Juntunen of Hubbell, MI

The driver that attempted to pass the tanker but lost control of her Toyota RAV SUV and slid on ice is 40-year-old Jennifer Jennings-Shaud of L’Anse, MI.

Toyota RAV SUV struck the southbound Honda CRV driven by Juntunen.

The tanker driver is 50-year-old David Hooper from Green Bay, who was transporting diesel fuel and gasoline from Green Bay. Hooper was not injured and as is standard in semi wrecks was required to submit a blood test.  Alcohol is not a factor.

Toyota RAV driver 40-year-old Jennifer Jennings-Shaud of L’Anse, MI and her nine-year-old son Ephraim taken by ambulance to Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital. Jennings-Shaud was transferred last night to the trauma center at U.P. Health System – Marquette.

The southbound Audi was driven by 40-year-old Eric Trapp, and included two passengers 43-year-old Amanda Galetto and her 12-year-old son Brady Galetto, all from Hancock, MI. The three escaped injury.

The above photo was taken by Eric Trapp, who shared it and gratefulness to be alive on Facebook.

——–

2-3-18 Update – 9:48 p.m. ET:

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Chassell, MI) – The four-vehicle crash happened about 10 a.m. Saturday on U.S.-41 at the Sturgeon River Bridge near Chassell and claimed the life of a Hubbell, MI woman.

A Green Bay trucker was heading north in his semi-tanker truck hauling 9,000 gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline.

As the trucker approached the bridge, the female driver of a Toyota RAV SUV tried to pass the tanker truck but lost control on the snow and ice covered highway.

A southbound Honda CRV driven by a female was struck head-on by the driver attempting to pass.

The Honda CRV slid into the northbound lane and was hit on the driver’s side by the fuel truck.

A Hubbell woman driving the Honda was ejected and killed instantly.

A fourth vehicle – headed south near the crash – was struck by at least one of the vehicles.

The male driver of that fourth vehicle had two passengers in his Audi. All were uninjured and from Hancock, MI.

The driver and passenger in a Toyota RAV were treated at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital – before the driver was transferred tonight to the trauma center at U.P. Health System-Marquette.

No names have been released.

The tanker truck leaked an untold amount of fuel into the Sturgeon River and onto the ice. UIS.-41 was closed for over 11hours. Its been reopened to one lane on the bridge with a traffic light for alternating traffic.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality are overseeing the cleanup.

No indication how bad an effect the spill will have on the wildlife in and on the river.

The cleanup is going to take a while.

Among those assisting were and are:

• The U.S. Coast Guard spill containment unit
• Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)
• Chassell Volunteer Fire Department and First Responders
• Hurontown Township Volunteer Fire Department with the Jaws of Life
• Calumet Township Volunteer Fire Dept. and Rescue provided fuel containment
• The Ironwood Public Safety Fire and Rescue containment unit
• Mercy Ambulance
• Bay Ambulance Service
• Michigan State Police
• The Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Unit in Iron Mountain
• Houghton County Emergency Management
• Superior Service Wrecker
• Gregg’s Wrecker Service from Ironwood, MI
• Numerous volunteers
• Plus Environmental cleanup teams from two companies: Calumet/Brian Bonen Construction and an unidentified Bark River company

There was an undetermined amount of fuel spilled from that overturned, punctured gas/fuel tanker.

Alcohol was not a factor in the crash. All victims were wearing seat belts.

Scroll down for further information.

9:12 p.m. 2-3-18

After being closed for about 11 hours – U.S-41 in Chassell, MI is re-opened to one lane (bridge only) – with stoplight for alternating traffic on the Sturgeon River bridge. An official on the scene said that the flashing signs will also warn people of temp traffic lights – and it will be one lane for about one day – or a day and a half.

——-

Update 5:50 p.m. ET – 2-3-18

Down to one lane soon on U.S.-41 over the bridge – and truck driver headed to Green Bay

It may sound optimistic, but MDOT official believe they can have the Sturgeon River Bridge reopened in an hour or so.

U.S.-41 will be reopened to one lane on the bridge – temporary stop lights will be put up to allow the alternating traffic to run in both directions.

Its like when you cross a bridge under repair.

MDOT is using sand to sop up the last of the fuel oil on the bridge.
Then it can be re-opened – but down to the one lane.

Also – the tanker truck driver has left the U.P. – after being treated for minor injuries at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital – and getting blood draws for police.

The trucker told officials his company had arranged for another blood test in Green Bay – and he was ordered to get there pronto

—

2:15 p.m.

Rappelling equipment has been called to the accident scene.

The Chassell Township Fire Chief has requested mutual aid from Calumet  Township Volunteer  Fire Department and its rappelling equipment and team.

Officials want to rappel off the Sturgeon River bridge – and determine the stability of the ice – so they can assess how much fuel spilled into the river and ice.

Apparently a significant amount of fuel did leak into the river and atop the ice.

The tanker was carrying 9,000 gallons.

Update 1:40 p.m. ET

Authorities have notified the family of the person who died in the crash.

At least one “blood draw” has been taken and maybe a second. A blood draw is routine in 18-wheeler wrecks.

As matter of procedure and law, all truckers involved in an accident are given a required blood draw.

It is still going be a very long time before highway is re-opened.

—

12 noon ET

All surviving victims have been taken from the scene to hospitals, one fatality. Houghton County Medical Examiner called. He had to change clothes because his clothes smelled like gas after leaving the scene. All people will have to be properly cleaned up after dealing with this wreck and its fumes, spillage.

Accident reconstruction experts are on the scene. The highway is closed until further notice.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Soo is handling efforts to stop the leak that is (or was) going into the river.

Officials are off-loading the tanker truck – that is holding 9,000 gallons of fuel.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has been notified.

11:42 a.m. Update

A sander has been called to build a berm on the Sturgeon River bridge to help stop the fuel leaking into the Sturgeon River.

Keweenaw Petroleum is sending crews to the scene to help deal with leak.

Plus traffic is reported “bumper to bumper.”

Traffic is slowly being rerouted thru Tapiola, MI – and sanders have been called to make side roads easy to maneuver as traffic will be rerouted for hours.

10:43 a.m. ET

HAZMAT: At least one killed, two hurt, people trapped in about four vehicles including overturn semi-tanker fuel truck that is leaking – U.S. Coast Guard MAZMAT containment crew summoned

uipm

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Chassell, MI) – U.S.-41 in Chassell, MI has been closed due to an extremely bad multi-vehicle crash has claimed at least one life – and includes a leaking semi-tanker fuel truck.

Expect U.S.-41 in Chassell, MI to be closed for most of today.

The U.S. Coast Guard MAZMAT containment crew has been summoned due to leaking fuel into the Sturgeon River.

A HAZMAT crew is being summoned due to the leaking fuel semi-tanker truck.

The crash was reported about 10 a.m. ET, this morning, Feb. 3, 2018.

The wreck is on the top of the Sturgeon River Bridge on U.S.-41 in Chassell, MI.
It is said to be a rollover with entrapment involving three passenger vehicles and a semi-tanker truck that has overturned.

One victim died after being ejected from one of those passenger vehicles.

Others are reported hurt including an unknown number of people trapped in the mangle wreckage.

Numerous fire departments and other emergency vehicles have responded.

This includes the Hurontown Volunteer Fire Department and two rigs and paramedics from the Bay Ambulance Service, Michigan State Police, and law enforcement from numerous agencies in Baraga and Houghton counties.

Recording of emergency official (sounds like law enforcement officer) who refused to go to snowmobile crash today involving a man in his 60s in Baraga County, MI

URGENT – U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 1-20-18 – 10:50 p.m. ET

Our only questions is WHY? Especially in wake of tragic snowmobile season, victim’s age and changing trail conditions

Accident protocol demands emergency officials to respond when asked – or at least until the injuries are confirmed

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Baraga County, MI) – Since mid-December 2017, its been an usually bloody snowmobile system in northern Michigan
At least five people have died in Upper Peninsula snowmobile crash – and one more critically injured and in a medical coma.

That’s why U.P. Breaking News was surprised when a dispatcher asked an emergency official to go to a crash with possible injury involving a man in his 60s.

That official refused to go citing whether he’d have to do an accident report. (Our tape recording doesn’t include a unit number – but response sounds like a law enforcement officer). We are sure the person’s voice will be recognized by somebody.

The accident was reported about 4:40 p.m. today, Sat., Jan. 20, 2018 on a snowmobile trail along M-28 near the Baraga County/Ontonagon County line in Duncan Township, MI.

In my 40 years covering police street news, I have never heard a refusal especially when it has not been confirmed the crash victim is OK. In most departments and agencies – everyone must respond (when asked) to any wreck with possible injuries – and at least until injury information is confirmed.

Its likely this is a good cop (most in the U.P. are dedicated, great cops) – however we find it incredible with the melting trails (blizzard coming) today and other factors that someone would refuse to go help and render aid.

The comment comes about 50 seconds into the short recording – the only thing we removed was the blank pauses (no audio) between dispatches.

Chippewa County goes after drug companies and national pharmacy chains that make addictive opioid drugs that have killed Upper Peninsula residents – joins other Michigan and Wisconsin governments

U.P. Breaking News Bulletin and Public Safety Advisory – 12-21-17 – 7:45 a.m.

The federal civil papers alleging crimes such as violation of the RICO Act have been filed by Chippewa County in federal court in Marquette

Chippewa County “has been uniquely and disproportionately impacted by the scourge of opioid addiction”

U.P. Breaking News has links that enabled the downloading or reading the actual lawsuit – which cost us a pretty penny. However, the crisis is so large – the money in federal court fees seems unimportant.

Opioid drugs from Hell kill tens of thousands in U.S. each year.

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Chippewa County/Marquette, MI) – In federal civil filing, Chippewa County explains why it joined the many cities and counties across Michigan and Wisconsin who have joined national lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies.

Allegations made against defendants: (1) Public Nuisance; (2) Negligence Per Se; (3) Negligence; And (4) Violations Of The Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organization Act (RICO Act).

Get your own copies of federal suit  – download or read:

Chippewa County joins lawsuit against drug companies, pharmacies (1)

Chippewa County joins lawsuit against drug companies, pharmacies (2)

In Michigan, Chippewa County joins numerous other cities and counties suing the pharmaceutical companies that have cost thousands of lives including well over 100 deaths in the U.P. in recent years.
In Wisconsin, 20 counties are suing pharmaceutical companies over the massive and crooked marketing of prescription opioid painkillers that has caused a drug epidemic across the United States.

“According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2010 the County of Chippewa had a population of 38,520. It was also estimated that, in 2016, 37,724 persons live in the County of Chippewa.,” the suit states.

The devilish painkillers at issue include OxyContin, MS Contin, Dilaudid/Dilaudid HP, Butrans, Hysingla ER, and Targiniq ER Percocet, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, and hydrocodone, opioids Nucynta and Nucynta ER; prescription opioids Actiq and Fentora; prescription opioids Kadian and Norco, a generic version of Kadian, and generic versions of Duragesic and Opana – and many more that makes the companies and pharmacies hundreds of billions of dollars annually while cause tens of thousands of deaths each year across the USA.

“Plaintiff, County of Chippewa, has been uniquely and disproportionately impacted by the scourge of opioid addiction,” Chippewa County officials declared in the lawsuit.

Chippewa County is the second largest county in the State of Michigan.

Chippewa County “has been highly affected by the tidal wave of opioids addiction that has swept through the nation,” the suit states. “The County is being forced to expend county resources combating the opioid epidemic and its cascading effects.

“As a direct result of Defendants’ corporate malfeasance, the County’s medical professionals and first responders must now prioritize combating drug overdoses, including opioid overdoses,” the suit declares. Chippewa County “law-enforcement officers are engaged in a pitched battle against the heroin trade, and against criminal enterprises illegally trading in prescription opioids. The County’s medical professionals must now spend their time and resources combating the multifaceted harms that drug addiction imposes on families, children, and infants.”

The national pharmacies targeted are CVS Health Corporation (“CVS”), Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (“Walgreens”)m Rite Aid Corporation (“Rite Aid”) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco”).

“The opioid epidemic has contributed to the destabilization of communities and neighborhoods in Chippewa County,” the suit states. Chippewa County has “been deprived” of “tax revenue and increased the costs of delivering county services.”

Chippewa County files the “civil action to eliminate or, at a minimum, reduce the imminent threat to public health and safety in Chippewa County caused by the opioid epidemic, to abate the nuisance caused thereby, and to recoup municipal monies spent to address the harm that resulted from:
(1) the false, deceptive and unfair marketing of prescription opioids by Defendants, and from
(2) Defendants’ failure to stop plainly suspicious orders of opioids, as defined below. The economic damages suffered by Plaintiff were caused by the use of opioid products that were foreseeable to Defendants and were sustained through Defendants’ patterns of activity directly resulting from their reckless, intentional and unlawful acts and omissions.

Introducing United States Border Patrol Agent Josh Smith – who helped an elderly man change his tire in Chippewa County – and canceled the wrecker that would have cost the “elderly gentleman” a lot of money

U.P. Breaking News Good News Update – 12-17-17 9:45 a.m. ET

Indeed Good: “Sierra 142” is United States Border Patrol Agent Josh Smith

Listen to the Good News – Good Deed – incident that this public servant was doing – when he thought the public would never know

The nice things law enforcement and others do daily that are never told:

Honoring all cops and others on the front lines of our safety while shining this light on U.S. Border Patrol Agent Josh Smith

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

United States Border Patrol Agent Josh Smith is getting our credit tho we know so many others on the front lines to nice things everyday that are never reporter – and also fly in the face of danger – like all law enforcement, first responders, firefighters, paramedics, Emergency Room doctors/nurses/staff – all hospital employees and so many more.

Listen to the good deeds of a U.S. Border Patrol Agent as it happened in the Soo Michigan area.
This was taped on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017.

“Sierra 142” is United States Border Patrol Agent Josh Smith at Michigan Highway 129 (M-129) and East 3 Mile Road in Chippewa County about 5:08 p.m. ET on Nov. 28, 2017.

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Previous Posts on Facebook:

URGENT GOOD NEWS UPDATE -11-29-17 1:50 p.m. U.P. Breaking News Bulletin: U.S. Border Patrol Agent is our hero on behalf of all cops across the U.P.

U.P. Breaking News has been told the honorable law enforcement officer who helped the elderly man with his tire is with the U.S. Border Patrol.
This is what we have been told:
Chippewa county law enforcement that helped elderly with tire was U.S. Border Patrol Agent Josh Smith.

Wow – Josh is just one example of the wonderful things police do everyday that know one knows about.
We honor all law enforcement in the U.P,
Cause when your in trouble – who do you call – a cop.
Of course the first responders, firefighters, paramedics – everyone on the front lines of our safety – are a blessing that we all have. Too often we do not count our blessings.

11-28-17 5:45 p.m. ET Didn’t want to get so busy I forget to mention this that we heard about an hour ago in Chippewa County: A wrecker was called for an elderly gentleman whose tire was flat – a cop in Chippewa County (wish I knew his name and agency) radioed to cancel the wrecker – that he was going to fix the elderly man’s tire and save him cost of wrecker. Cops do many things each day to help people that you never hear about. So congrats to Chippewa County law enforcement – from city, county and state police agencies.

 

U.P. Breaking News Prison Bulletin: Naming Names #3 – Torture, assault and battery, racial slurs, abuse alleged at Baraga Max prison by allegedly corrupt Michigan prison officials

U.P. Breaking News Prison Bulletin: Torture, assault and battery, racial slurs, abuse alleged at Baraga Max prison by allegedly corrupt officials 11-30-17 2:30 a.m. ET
Naming Names #3

“Nigger” – Baraga Max Corrections officers accused of provoking inmates into fights using techniques like racial slurs and threats, retaliation against inmates who complain, and threats to keep small time crooks (whom they hate) in prison for life

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Brutality and assault accusations filed against Baraga Max Inmates

By Greg Peterson
Owner, News Director
U.P. Breaking News
906-273-2433

(Baraga, MI) – A Michigan prison inmate who started with a minor sentence – and then took on the administration and staff at Baraga Max – has filed a federal court lawsuit with accusations of brutality, racial slurs, and trying to provoke fights with inmates.

The revolving Michigan prison door often involves inmates and “guards” fighting – because some corrupt corrections officers act unprofessionally, instigate fights and conduct write-ups for revenge against inmates they hate

Plaintiff: Randy Beasley #631420

Here are the alleged guards involved in crimes against an inmate as alleged in a federal court civil suit in Marquette, MI:

Defendant: Michigan Department of Corrections
Defendant: K. Blau
Defendant: D. Lesatz
Defendant: Unknown Petaja
Defendant: D. Snarsk
Defendant: L. Marshall
Defendant: W. Delene
Defendant: Noah Beesley
Defendant: Tim Maki
Defendant: S. Niemi
Defendant: J. Bessner

The civil rights lawsuit was filed by Baraga Maximum Security Prison Inmate Randy Beasley (#631420) on Nov. 6, 2017 at federal court in Marquette, MI.

Baraga Max Inmate Randy Beasley lawsuit 11-9-17

U.P. Breaking News believes in using the term”corrections officer” for true professionals however any CO that acts unprofessionally is nothing more than a miserable prison guard who should be locked up if committing crimes against prisoners. Under-staffing is one of the biggest issues – and of course certain state official are enriching themselves off the maggots that are fed to prisoners in the U.P mixed with rotten, non-nutritious food.

The Michigan union that represents corrections offices does little and considers those that exposes low-staffing and inmate abuses to be on their enemy list.

The Baraga Maximum Security Prison is located at 13924 Wadaga Road in Baraga, MI. Many of the inmates who organized the riot at Kinross were sent to maximum security prisons in U.P – including many to Baraga Max – to never be heard from again.

U.P. Breaking News is publishing these lawsuits because they never win in deferral court and it is the only way to put a spotlight on Michigan extremely corrupt prisons. U.P. Breaking News has been contacted by current and former COs who fear that unprofessional conduct by Cos and staff will lead to murder and riots. If you kick a dog – it will eventually bite you.

Read lawsuit by Baraga Max Inmate Randy Beasley lawsuit 11-9-17

However, MDOC has a long policy of duping and lying to the media. U.P Breaking News lost faith in the honesty of MDOC when they lied about the Kinross riot and even fooled the Marquette Mining Journal into running a false story in their Sunday edition declaring it was a minor protest by a handful of Kinross inmates marching outside the eastern U.P. prison.

Allegations:

Excessive force against inmates by Baraga Maximum Security Prison corrections officers
Immediate Danger to inmate
Assault and battery
Constant danger of retaliation by corrections officers
Regularly using word “nigger” to provoke inmates
Mental and physical torture

Here is the state info on the convictions – and it bears the marks of an inmate who comes to prison on a short sentence – and then is given many more years after protesting his rights and a “assault” on Baraga Max Cos.

He had petty sentences until ending up in a Michigan Prison:

Photo of Offender
MDOC Number:
631420
SID Number:
2050737W
Name:
RANDY HENRY BEASLEY
Racial Identification:
Black
Gender:
Male
Hair:
Black
Eyes:
Brown
Height:
5′ 10″
Weight:
167 lbs.
Date of Birth:
06/03/1982 (35)
RANDY HENRY BEASLEY
Image Date:
8/10/2012
MDOC STATUS
Current Status:
Prisoner
Earliest Release Date:
10/28/2017
Assigned Location:
Baraga Maximum Facility
Maximum Discharge Date:
07/20/2023

Security Level:
V
ALIASES
MICHAEL OWENS
RANDY BEASLEY
RANDY DEWAYNE BEASLEY
RANDY H BEASLEY
RANDY H. BEASLEY
RANDY HENRY BEASLEY
RANDY RANDY BEASLEY
MARKS, SCARS & TATTOOS
Tattoo- Right Bicep – RT

PRISON SENTENCES ACTIVE

Sentence 1
Offense:
Assault Of Prison Employee
Minimum Sentence:
2 years 0 months 0 days
MCL#:
750.197CA
Maximum Sentence:
5 years 0 months
Court File#:
151388-FH
Date of Offense:
11/14/2014
County:
Baraga
Date of Sentence:
10/29/2015
Conviction Type:
Jury

Sentence 2
Offense:
Asslt w/Int Gr Bod Hrm Less Murder
Minimum Sentence:
1 year 0 months 0 days
MCL#:
750.84
Maximum Sentence:
10 years 0 months
Court File#:
06008982-01
Date of Offense:
07/20/2006
County:
Wayne
Date of Sentence:
01/05/2007
Conviction Type:
Plea

Sentence 3
Offense:
Weapons – Felony Firearms
Minimum Sentence:
2 years 0 months 0 days
MCL#:
750.227BA
Maximum Sentence:
2 years 0 months
Court File#:
06008982-01
Date of Offense:
07/20/2006
County:
Wayne
Date of Sentence:
01/05/2007
Conviction Type:
Plea

INACTIVE
None
PROBATION SENTENCES
ACTIVE
None
INACTIVE
Sentence 1
Offense:
Stolen Property – R/C $1000 or More But Less Than $20,000 – Attempt
Minimum Sentence:

MCL#:
750.5353A
Maximum Sentence:
1 year 6 months
Court File#:
02000921
Date of Offense:
01/31/2000
County:
Wayne
Date of Sentence:
03/01/2002
Conviction Type:
Plea
Discharge Date:
09/18/2002

Warning to U.P. residents, prisoners, prison employees and the public: Things are bad due to low staffing and corruption – Inmates Down: Ambulance call this morning at the infamous Kinross Prison – yesterday at Chippewa – are just two of numerous inmates down at U.P. prisons who have needed ambulances this month alone – also Baraga Max and Marquette Branch. Sources say that the U.P. prisons are at such a breaking point that the state is putting the lives of correctional officers, staff, the public and inmates at risk

U.P. Breaking News Warns: Low staffing, rotting food issues and inmate abuse is so bad in U.P. Prisons that anything could happen – this is a warning cry

Humanity for all folks or call the undertaker

Unhealthy food and abuse are alleged – though never in the history of the U.P. has a prison inmate won a federal lawsuit
Weird considering their have been thousands filed – and most never get lawyers

By Greg Peterson
Upper Peninsula Breaking News
News Director/Co-Owner
906-273-2433

(Upper Peninsula of Michigan Prisons) – Numerous ambulance calls this month at U.P. prisons including today are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to danger to the public and others involved in the U.P. broken U.P prison.

One problem is, the U.P. media is terrified of the prisons and do not investigate. We are raising the red warning flag to Michigan State Police detectives, paramedics and other officials – who know they have been lied to by prison officials.

U.P. Breaking News stresses, we have not been information any plot of plan – just people pleading with us to warn the public about what might happen – it did last year.

We have heard from numerous sources involved on both sides of the prison bars – and all are scared something is going to happen. Not something good.

About 2 a.m. today (Nov. 21, 2017, Kinross paramedics were called the Kinross Correctional Facility for a call of chest pains.

And on Monday (Nov. 20) they transported a prison from the Chippewa Regional Correctional Facility for an inmate who was having seizures in the medical clinic.

In fact, we believe there has been one maybe two recent ambulances calls at Marquette Branch Prison that are not being publicly broadcast which seems to be the case since coverup earlier this year of a suspicious death of a young prisoner at Marquette Branch. There have been recent calls to Baraga Max (few days ago) and to recently to the Marquette Branch Prison.

If you love and inmate or a CO (forget entrenched corrupt supervisors) – you had better demand that changes are made. If the inmates are not safe – then the COs lives are at risk. When will the union wake up. The union representing the COs needs to get some guts and quit blaming U.P. Breaking News. Be courageous or go home

U.P. Breaking news is hollering about this hoping to avoid more murders at U.P. prisons. And hopefully get the state to force the corrupt food service owners to be human.

Then there were the blatant coverup and (that fooled Sunday edition of the Mining Journal and other U.P. media) of last fall’s riot at Kinross.

CO and inmate related sources tell U.P. Breaking News that is become life or death in U.P. prisons for both COs and inmates.

Numerous sources continue to say low-staffing – and some burnout or a corrupt poor structure within the CO community.
U.P. Breaking News will be revealing some shocking lawsuits shortly in our ongoing investigation involving prisons in the Eastern U.P., Marquette, Munising, Baraga in Michigan and also a separate probe in the Augusta, GA areas. Lots of lives are at stake – including the public, the inmates and the COs. Naming Names.

Editor’s note: For those who participate in coverup – do not have the guts to come forward – or will criticize our warning. We pray to our Creator that we do not have to say ‘we told you so.’ Most of the union officers close ranks – and to not understand it is their safety at risk- brute force will not fix problem. Sources please keep calling.

 

Less than 10 homes to relight in L’Anse – and the driver that allegedly caused crisis apparently fell asleep at the wheel, says Baraga County Sheriff Rick Johnson – SEMCO and L’Anse/Baraga residents showed each other love and respect during unexpected crash and explosion

U.P. Breaking News Bulletin 2:40 p.m. ET Monday 12-26-16 – Lots of new info folks on the 2016 L’Anse Christmas Heat Crisis – driver fell asleep, was charged, – and SEMCO and Baraga County residents give each other much deserved love

SEMCO workers get as much as they gave from thankful Yoopers, who left the downstate folks impressed with northern hospitality L’Anse and Baraga style

Driver Harley Wakeham of Chassell was ticketed for careless driving – lucky to be alive – as explosion was quick, sheriff says

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director – 1-906-273-2433

(L’Anse, MI) – Dozens of SEMCO employees who traveled from downstate to help warm and relight the Christmas celebration in a small Upper Peninsula community – found love expressed the Yooper way – as all involved tried to cope with the unexpected 2016 L’Anse Christmas Heat Crisis.

Meanwhile the driver – 18-year-old Harley Wakeham of Chassell – charged with causing the wreck allegedly falling asleep at the wheel – and is lucky to have received only minor injuries because the natural gas lines exploded instantly – sending flames 60 feet or high into the air.

The three-day crisis was effectively done in a day and a half – and began about 3:40 a.m. on Friday morning, Dec. 23, 2016 when a crashed into a vital substation causing an explosion and huge flames to shoot up into the cold Upper Peninsula morning. The fire was videotaped by several residents – three of which have shared their videos and photos with U.P. Breaking News. They are Trevor Uren, Bob Gustafson and  Jerry Fish, Jr.

The tiny Lake Superior community of L’Anse, Michigan didn’t have to wait long for more fun as an overnight storm left ice in its wake in the western U.P. with power outages and hundreds of big downed trees.

As of 1:30 p.m. today, less than 10 homes out of 1,200 customers were not turned back on and only because the occupants are apparently out of town for the holidays, said Baraga County Sheriff Rick Johnson.

Wakeham was northbound – headed toward Chassell – when his 2003 Pontiac Grand Am left the road and crashed into natural gas piping and a substation, Sheriff Johnson said.

Wakeham managed to get himself out of the burning car very quickly, Sheriff Johnson said.

The flames shot “pretty high” into the air, the sheriff said, adding he was told by deputies that flames “were shooting 60 feet high.”

Wakeham “apparently fell asleep” at the wheel and was ticketed for “careless driving,” Sheriff Johnson said.

Wakeham is “very lucky” to be alive, as the car was quickly engulfed.

The Baraga High School was opened as a warming center, but was not needed because the relatively mild temperatures reached the mid to upper 30s.

Others assisting with the crisis:

American Red Cross

Western Upper Peninsula Health Department

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC)

Region 8 Healthcare Coalition

Baraga County Emergency Management

Baraga County Sheriff’s Department

Michigan State Police

L’Anse Fire Department

Baraga Area Schools

EAGLE Radio

We heard local radio stations did a great job keeping the public up to date, since the newspapers were not printing for holiday

Michigan State Police and generators from private companies in Marquette, MI apparently assisted a local nursing home until heat returned.

Its not clear if Wakeham will have to pay for a portion of the damages – and a total bill has not been tallied.

Wakeham sought his own medical treatment – and “did not” flee the scene, as witnesses first indicated.

“It was instant – it happened very quickly,” said Baraga County Sheriff Rick Johnson. “The car burned in the fire.”

Speed and alcohol were not a factor in the crash and the roads were clear and dry, Sheriff Johnson said.

The Baraga County Sheriff’s department was assisted by the KBIC Tribal Police – and the L’Anse Fire Department put out the flames that caused U.S.-41 to be closed for about an hour.

The sheriff said all the agencies worked together closely and he agreed that SEMCO “pulled out all the stops.”

That’s just what happened.

“We mobilized several crews from downstate,” said Timothy Lubbers, SEMCO Director of Business Development.

“I found out early this morning that all of our crews made it back to their homes safely” most in time to spend a small portion of Christmas with their eagerly waiting families, said Timothy Lubbers, SEMCO Director of Business Development.

Officials from emergency management, and many other sources will tally up the crisis bills in the near future, but the number one goal was achieved.

“We’ll get the costs of everything later – our goal was – everyone back on – and everybody safe,” Lubber said.

As impressed as L’Anse residents were with the courtesy and quick action of SEMCO employees, these folks traveled back to their homes with tales of kind, generous Yoopers – who brought soup, beverages, Christmas cookies and baked goods – to where the SEMCO crews were gathered for quick response.

30-year SEMCO employee Steve Mudd says the L’Anse trip was one of his best:

“As a SemcoEnergy employee for over 30 years and worked in outage’s all over including Hurricane Sandy in New York.

I just want to say how moved I was by the kindness of all the people I was able to relite after driving 11 hours from the bottom of the state of MI “Niles” my first night in you GREAT town, I have never been so moved in all my years and will never forget this trip.”

“And on Christmas morning myself and the other employee that came your way to help left at 5am to head home to our family for Christmas, low on gas we made it into Wisconsin to a Shell gas station that was open 2hours from your town,fueled up and a pop in are hands a lady came in the store to thank us again on her way to spend Christmas with her family.

It brought a tear to my eye. THANK YOU ALL you have a great town in it was a pleasure to help merry Christmas to you all. Steve Mudd “SEMCO Energy”

“We’ve had over 45 people from the Lower Peninsula” traveled on Friday, Christmas Eve morning 2016 to the Upper Peninsula to help re-light the 1,200 homes of L’Anse, MI. For some of the SEMCO employees responding to the emergency “it took eight or 10 hours to get there” to L’Anse.

In addition SEMCO had “10 to 15 (employees) already in the Upper Peninsula that we sent there to manage” the early repairs and help re-lighting of homes. “We had to go individually and shut down everyone” and make repairs to the pipes, electronics and other destroyed items at the substation that went up in flames Lubbers said.

“By the time the crews from downstate got up there we were ready to re-pressurize the system and then relight everyone” in the village of L’Anse, that is nestled on the east side of the bottom of the Keweenaw Bay on the shores of Lake Superior.

“The vehicle actually went through our fence” and struck the SEMCO “city gate station” – basically a substation small building with electronics and pipes, he said. The vehicle hit “some piping” where SEMCO brings in gas from other sources.

The piping involves the location where SEMCO “that we take gas from the interstate pipeline and then we measure and regulate it down to a lower pressure and distribute it to customers – and in this case it is the community of L’Anse,” Lubbers said. The car “went through our fence at the city gate station – knocked off some gas – and there was flowing gas,” Lubbers said. “I do not know what ignited the gas.”

Then, once emergency officials responded to the accident – U.S. 41 was closed down for more than an hour – as crews “shut off the gas.” The SEMCO employees “are from different parts of Michigan” including “The Port Huron and Chesterfield areas, and the Battle Creek and Niles areas, and the Holland area.”

All these employees were able to drive back across the Mackinac Bridge heading south – to be with their families downstate late Christmas Day- and all arrived safely home.

——-

Previous Stories:

URGENT URGENT URGENT U.P. Breaking News Bulletin:
It’s Over – L’Anse, MI Crisis Ends Christmas Day 2016 – U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – Christmas Day 2016 – 1:45 a.m. ET – L’Anse, MI thankful 12-25-16 (Still more to wrap this up, including the cost of the crisis – but residents are thankful and basking in Glow of Gratefulness and Warmth):

2016 L’Anse Christmas Heating Crisis Ends

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director – 1-906-273-2433

(L’Anse, MI) – The heat is back on in L’Anse, Michigan even before the end of Day Two of the 2016 L’Anse Christmas Heating Crisis.

Official Day Three of the Crisis would be 3 a.m. Christmas Day. But it appears except for a handful of homes, everyone has been re-lit thanks to round the clock love, attention and care of natural gas workers from around the state.

Thank you to SEMCO and their employees,” said L’Anse resident Renee Eliason. “Some of these workers came from Niles, MI.”

“I know they are getting paid and all – but the 2 guys who came to my house – pretty close to 2 a.m. were nice, friendly and got the job done,” Eliason said on Facebook. “Thank goodness we do not have sub zero temps!!”

Look at other tributes and thank you that were posted on the SEMCO Facebook page by L’Anse residents:

https://www.facebook.com/SEMCO.Energy.Gas.Company

Kay Rogge Martinac McIntyre Thank you to all the employees who will be away from their families at this Holiday time, to help restore service to us here in L’Anse! We appreciate it!

Like · Reply · 15 · December 23 at 2:03pm

Melissa Jean Salisbury They just turned ours on out by Lutes.
Thank you to those of you who are out working hard to get the gas going again. I know there are places you would rather be.
Happy holidays to you all.

Like · Reply · 3 · Yesterday at 1:23am

Dawn Mackowski Shreve Wishing a speedy and safe restoration to all of the residents and hard working crews!

Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 3:20am

Kay Rogge Martinac McIntyre We have gas service again here in L’Anse! Thank you again for the tireless great service your employees provided! Merry Christmas!

Like · Reply · 1 · Yesterday at 7:25am

James Kinnunen So proud of our son and all of his coworkers from Negaunee and all thru the state of Michigan. These men and women have been working since early Friday morning to safely get everyone gas service restored. Wishing these workers and their families a safe and Merry Christmas and safe travels back home.

Like · Reply · 2 · 23 hrs

Jenny Elizabeth Pakkala Peter Thank you so much for the high level of service and professionalism we received during this process. We are very, very grateful and fortunate to have been awake with you late last night to get our service restored. We experienced a problem with our wat…See More

Like · Reply · 2 · 22 hrs

Donna MacIntosh Thank you Semco for the professionalism and expediting the return of heat to L’Anse…especially during the Holiday Weekend…you have stunning employees! Merry Christmas to all! Blessings!!

Like · Reply · 2 · 20 hrs

Theresa Lehto Bianco A big thank you to Semco and their awesome employees! Outstanding service restoring the heat in L’Anse. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Like · Reply · 2 · 16 hrs

James Kinnunen Great job SEMCO employees almost 1200 relights in a day. Team work is awesome.

Like · Reply · 2 · 13 hrs

Ryan Fisher Great Job Everyone!! To all the Semco Employees Merry Christmas and Thank You for the dedication and hard work!!

Like · Reply · 11 hrs

Melissa Hilsendager Thank you!!

Like · Reply · 10 hrs

Scott Smith Great job to all the employees that went Merry Christmas hope you make it home safe too your family’s !!

——-

L’Anse resident Renee Eliason:

Merry Christmas to all–I wish you all Love, Peace and Harmony!! If we could all give our love away like small children – Oh my what a wonderful world this would be!! If you have a person in your life who could use a call today — please give them a call and say hello — a real call not an email Show the LOVE!!

God’s Peace my family and friends!!

We want to hear your tales – and we found a perfect wagging tale to start with:
Apparently one of those helping in L’Anse did not get to spent his birthday at home with his dog:

Rene Kinnunen posted on December 23 near Ishpeming ·

Happy 27th birthday to my favorite son ❤️. Don’t know if we’ll even get to see him today as he’s working in Lanse because of the gas issue. Love you!!😘 — with Andrew Kinnunen.

A friend reacted to the photo:

Michelle N Todd Prillwitz Happy Birthday Andrew. Thank you for working hard on your special day to help keep the customers in L’anse warm. Hope some grateful customers share a baked good with you

HEROES TO MANY TO NAME – First thank you to the dozens of natural gas employees who left their families downstate and across the U.P. to help the village of L’Anse get through this unexpected crisis. Others include (Please tell us those who helped you):
L’Anse Fire Department, L’Anse Area Schools, The Baraga County Sheriff’s department Baraga County Emergency Management officials, Michigan State Police from many posts, countless residents and groups including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community – as warmth abound despite what happened:

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community kept people update:

December 23 at 8:20am ·

***UPDATE ON SPACE HEATERS***

Another supply of heaters will be available for pick up at the Baraga School beginning at 9 pm tonight. You can call the command center to check availability before going there – the phone number is 353-6664.

***UPDATE***

We have run out of space heaters. We are working on getting more but don’t have a timeframe as to when. We sincerely apologize. The warming shelter at the Baraga School is open to everyone, has cots available as well as food.

***UPDATE***
The Tribe has a limited number of hotel rooms available at their Ojibwa Resort Hotel in Baraga (casino hotel). Priority is extended to KB elders and KB households with children who don’t have alternate accommodations for tonight. Those needing help can pickup a voucher at the Zeba Hall between 4 pm and 6 pm today.

Also, if anyone needs transportation to the warming center in Baraga, please call 353-6664 and it’ll be arranged for you. The Baraga Area Schools Facebook page and website have updates on the situation as well.

***UPDATE***

The Tribe will have space heaters available for KBIC elderly members and households with children first and any remaining units will be provided to residents of the KBIC Housing. The heaters will be available for pick up at the Zeba Hall beginning at 4 pm until 6 pm today. One heater per home will be available. If there are any members with special needs, please contact Larry Denomie – (906) 201-0631. We will do our best to assist with the resources we have available.

***NOTICE***

Residents affected by the shut down of Natural Gas in the L’Anse area can utilize the Baraga Area Schools as a warming center. We are also working on additional locations in the event they are needed. The duration of the situation is unknown at this time. Check back regularly for updates.

***UPDATE***

There are approximately 1200 metered homes in the L’Anse, Skanee, and Bovine area affected by the situation.

Residents affected should ensure their water supply doesn’t freeze by letting their faucet drizzle water the size of a pencil tip. Electric space heaters are a good source of heat also- please use them safely.

——-

Previous stories:

URGENT URGENT URGENT – U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – Christmas Day 2016 – 1 a.m. ET – L’Anse, MI is hot this morning 12-25-16:

2016 L’Anse Christmas Heating Crisis is all but over – thanks to dedication of those who care

NATURAL GAS WORKERS HAVE RESTORED HEAT TO NEARLY ALL OF L’ANSE, MI: GAS WORKERS ON STREETS OF L’ANSE, MI – ALL NIGHT -ALL DAY – AND ALL NIGHT – NEED YOU TO CALL

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director – 1-906-273-2433

The village of L’Anse, Michigan never lost its warm spirit of giving, but residents are thrilled and impressed to have heat for Christmas – or any day.

SEMCO reports there are only a handful of homes remain without natural gas service.

If your home has not been turned back on – crews “are standing by” and all you have to do is call.
Please folks let us know your L’Anse story and send photos.

L’Anse Outage Update 12/24/2016 7:30pm
SEMCO crews worked through Friday night and Saturday to re-establish customer gas service. As of 7 p.m. Christmas Eve, all but approximately 86 customers have been restored. SEMCO is continuing attempt contacting these homeowners in order to gain access to appliances inside the home and re-establish service. Customers without service are encouraged to call 1-800-624-2019. Crews are standing by.

SEMCO wishes to extend its appreciation to its customers and the community for the support, encouragement and patience exhibited to SEMCO’s crews during the repairs and re-establishment of service to its customers.

Click here to view a map of the affected area

——-

L’Anse Outage Update 12/24/2016 3:45pm
Service has been restored to approximately 950 customers affected by the natural gas outage in L’Anse, Michigan. SEMCO crews continue to make progress and are working hard to get all service restored to the approximately 1,200 customers affected.
Click here to view a map of the affected area

L’Anse Outage Update 12/24/2016 12:15pm
Service has been restored to over 700 customers affected by the natural gas outage in L’Anse, Michigan. This is great news and SEMCO crews continue to go door to door to finish the job.

SEMCO crews have attempted to restore service to an additional 43 homes, but no one was available

DAY TWO STARTS ON GOOD NOTE – Christmas Eve 2016

SEMCO and other natural gas workers spotted early today in downtown L’Anse, MI working hard – photo by Meghan Maki near L’Anse

“Four natural gas workers on Main street. They are working so hard to help our community”

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director – 1-906-273-2433

**Editors note – tell the kids that Santa Claus is making sure NORAD guides his sleigh low and slow over Baraga County and surrounding areas to make sure all the nice children of L’Anse, MI and the U.P. are visited after they are asleep tonight – and constant updates on the children’s locations are being received by Rudolph.

(L’Anse, MI) – Officially into the second day of the 2016 L’Anse Christmas Heating Crisis – there is good news on many fronts.

A little more than 22 percent of the L’Anse homes have had natural gas restored by 6 a.m. At least 340 homes out of 1,500 homes had natural gas by 5:45 a.m. – thus heat and gas for cooking.

L’Anse residents have been impressed with the dedication of the natural gas workers – and others involved in returning the community to normal.

SEMCO workers knocked on my sister’s door at 2:30 this morning to put her heat back on. They have been working round the clock!,” said Leona Rowe today.

“They deserve much credit and praise for this, Rowe said.

Early today L’Anse resident Meghan Maki posted a photo of the natural gas repairs crews and thanked them for helping on Christmas Eve:

“They are working so hard to help our community,” Maki said.

——-

New astonishing video of the Great L’Anse explosion

Video by Bob Gustafson 5:30 a.m. Day One – The Explosion: In L’Anse near Celotex @ 4:00 AM this morning. Guy drove off road and hit pipes at nat gas substation. He escaped but car was incinerated.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgeezerbobg231%2Fvideos%2F10209999450295081%2F&show_text=0&width=400

Day Two: 5:45 a.m. SEMCO .pdf:

http://www.semcoenergygas.com/FileStorage/L’Anse%20AOI.pdf

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11:45 p.m. Day One – SEMCO outage Map

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Natural Gas main shoots up into nighttime sky near L’Anse, MI following vehicle crash

Above Photo and video by Trevor Uren

Below is Exclusive Video by Jerry Fish, Jr.

https://www.facebook.com/UpperPeninsulaBreakingNews/messages/?threadid=609455537&timestamp=1482494396353

U.S.-41 following fiery crash and blaze reported just east of L’Anse, MI

——-

The incident began about 4 a.m. on Fri, Dec. 23, 2016 – when the driver of a car lost control – possibly fell asleep – and ran off U.S.-41 and struck a major natural gas main that exploded.

Baraga County Emergency management officials and the county board are expected to seek disaster funding from the state and federal government and are preparing a declaration to submit to Lansing, MI.

A warming Center was set up at the L’Anse Area High school.

Other reported warming centers include the Ojibwa Community College and the Big Bucks Bingo Hall.

The crisis is expected to cost into the millions for repairs and other assets devoted to keeping people safe. A local nursing facility has received extra special attention to make sure residents are comfortable and fed. The Baraga Memorial Hospital never had issue as it operates off oil. Baraga County Emergency Operations found its main HQ without natural gas.

U.P. Breaking News has been receiving reports through the night from our readers that gas and heat has been restored to some of those closest to the disaster 0- as it began with that crash – that caused a two-hour closure of U.S.-Highway 41 west of the Falls River Bridge.

Baraga County Emergency Management

Jeffrey Hubbard, Emergency Manager

940 US Hwy 41
L’Anse, MI 49946

Phone: (906) 524-6100 Ext. 695

911 Director

Bob Larson
2 S. Main Street
L’Anse, MI
Phone: (906) 524-6100 Ext. 312

baraga911@baragacounty.org

http://www.baragacounty.org/government/emergency-management/

To follow the crisis on SEMCO:

L’Anse Outage Update 12/24/2016 5:45am
Service has been restored to approximately 340 customers.

http://www.semcoenergygas.com

Scroll down to see SEMCOS Updates and links – or go to their website:
http://www.semcoenergygas.com/main/Default

\SEMCO official natural gas outage map as of 11:15 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016
http://www.semcoenergygas.com/FileStorage/L’Anse%20AOI.pdf

——-

In addition to the process of manually shutting off the gas to each individual home and business, SEMCO crews are also working to repair the damage caused by the accident at SEMCO’s city gate station.

In addition to SEMCO employees located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, SEMCO employees from across Michigan are on their way to L’Anse to assist with service restoration.

SEMCO UPDATES:

For updates please continue to visit www.semcoenergygas.com or call 1 800 624 2019.

http://www.semcoenergygas.com

L’Anse Outage Update 12/24/2016 2:40am
SEMCO Crews are working diligently to restore service. Service has been restored to approximately 170 customers.
Click here to view a map of the affected area

L’Anse Outage Update 12/23/2016 11:15pm
The relight process to restore natural gas service has begun. Crews are going door to door to reestablish gas service and to make sure appliances are operating properly.

SEMCO will continue to update its website with progress reports periodically.

Click here to view a map of the affected area

L’Anse Outage Update 12/23/2016 10:30pm
The first phase of restoration of gas service to L’Anse has been accomplished, SEMCO has completed the shutdown of each customer valve in the outage area. SEMCO is now in the process of restoring the pressure in the system and, once that is complete, SEMCO crews will begin going to each individual customer to reestablish service. The relight process is expected to begin within the hour.

It is important to remember that someone must be home to allow SEMCO into the home so that crews can ensure appliances are operating properly. In addition, SEMCO is asking customers to turn on porch or front room lights where possible.

Click here to view a map of the affected area

L’Anse Outage Update 12/23/2016 6:30pm
The work to repair the SEMCO gate station in L’Anse has been completed. SEMCO crews continue to focus their attention on turning off individual meters. We would like to thank our customers in L’Anse for their understanding and patience during this challenging event.

Click here to view a map of the affected area

L’Anse Outage Update 12/23/2016 3:45pm
Work continues with this first phase of the service restoration process. SEMCO crews are making good progress getting to each home and business. As work continues throughout the evening, SEMCO is asking customers to turn on porch and front room lights where possible. This will not only improve visibility it will also provide additional safety.

Click here to view a map of the affected area

L’Anse Outage Update 12/23/2016 12:40pm
In addition to the process of manually shutting off the gas to each individual home and business, SEMCO crews are also working to repair the damage caused by the accident at SEMCO’s city gate station.

In addition to SEMCO employees located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, SEMCO employees from across Michigan are on their way to L’Anse to assist with service restoration.

Click here to view a map of the affected area

L’Anse Outage Update 12/23/2016 10:30am
SEMCO crews have started the process of going to each home to manually shut off the gas to each home and business. This process will take several hours and we expect that it will be completed this afternoon.

Emergency Management officials have established a warming center at the Baraga High School, 210 Lyons St. Baraga, MI.

Click here to view a map of the affected area

L’Anse Outage Update 12/23/2016 8:00am
Early this morning a vehicle accident in L’Anse Michigan resulted in a natural gas service disruption to SEMCO’s customers in the L’Anse area.

We understand that a natural gas service disruption is challenging, particularly in the cold winter months and SEMCO crews are working to reestablish service as soon as possible.

Emergency Management officials are working to establish a warming center in the area.

Because natural gas outages are very infrequent, customers may not be aware of the process involved in restoring service. The first step is that gas company personnel will manually shut off the valve at each individual residential and commercial gas meter. The pressure in the gas system will be restored and service to all customers will be restored individually. SEMCO employees will need access to each home in order to reestablish service and ensure all natural gas equipment is operating properly. Please do not try to restore service yourself.

Click here to view a map of the affected area

other links as fyi:
Houghton/Keweenaw County Emergency Measures FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/HoKeOEM