Hometown Escanaba

Weather is affecting the delivery of trees for the Delta Conservation District tree sale. Ben Marchant says pickup for those who purchased trees as part of the conservation district tree sale has now been scheduled for May 1 and 2 at the U.P. State Fairgrounds. The Delta Conservation District is also selling native plants. That sale is open until May 10. 

The group continues to talk about proposed license changes for deer hunting in Michigan. And, Ben Marchant with the Delta Conservation District says pickup for those who purchased trees as part of the conservation district tree sale has now been scheduled for May 1 and 2 at the U.P. State Fairgrounds. The Delta Conservation District is also selling native plants.

Escanaba City Manager Jim McNeil talks about the planned construction for downtown Escanaba and the rest of the community. The Escanaba City Council has approved the purchase of a new ladder truck for Public Safety. It will take up to four years to receive it. And the council has made another offer to fill McNeil's position.

The Upper Peninsula Arts and Culture Alliance has been awarded two competitive grants totaling 50-thousand dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts. Sue Roll says the funding includes a 30-thousand dollar Grants for Arts Projects award that will support a regional mini-grant program. A second grant of 20-thousand dollars will fund a research study examining how arts and cultural activity contributes to jobs, business development, and overall economic growth in the U.P.

The milling of Ludington Street and ultimate closure has been delayed a week. The street was to close on Monday but construction equipment could not be brought into Escanaba because of seasonal road restrictions. Stacy Eagle, civil engineer at C2AE, says construction is now scheduled to begin on Monday, April 27.

Ed Legault, executive director of the Delta County Economic Development Alliance, talks about upgrades at Billerud, construction starting in downtown Escanaba and DTE's construction project planned for Escanaba. Also, provides information on the Chamber of Commerce golf outing in June.

Jason Allen with USDA talks about an announcement of over $275 million in FY2026 funding for U.S. specialty crop industries, including the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, Specialty Crop Research Initiative, and Specialty Crop Multi-State Program. This funding, boosted by the Working Families Tax Cuts, supports Michigan growers in marketing, research, and competitiveness

.

As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, Delta County Prosecutor Lauren Wickman says the Delta Regional Child Advocacy Center helps youth overcome abuse by investigating allegations of child abuse through forensic interviews and victim advocacy. 

Chris Hackbarth, DTE Regional Manager of Northern Michigan, talks about a utility relocation project planned to begin this year prior to a U.S. 2 and 4 reconstruction project by the Michigan Department of Transportation. That project is expected to begin in 2027. Chris outlines relocation plans and easement efforts.

Mike Canull joins us on a Wednesday morning to talk about flooding, downtown road construction, and music venues for the weekend. The band Grand Design is playing for Holy Name School fundraiser Saturday. He joins us to talk about that. And Wendy Pepin is in for Wendy Wednesday Blues for a Cause Pick of the Week.