Construction News

Article Photos Michael H. Babcock/Daily Mining Gazette Construction on the old Burger King building in downtown Houghton is underway, with a partition being placed down the middle. Moyle Construction is working on the project and an official confirmed a Team Wireless store selling Verizon Wireless products, as well as a Jimmy Johns, will be moving into the building, which has been vacant since 2003.

By Michael H. Babcock, DMG Writer

HOUGHTON - For-rent signs are disappearing faster than they're being put up in downtown Houghton as the rejuvenated downtown has become an attractive option for businesses and residents.

"People really like the fact that we have probably close to 500 people working downtown and close to 400 people living downtown," Houghton City Manager Scott MacInnes said . "Those are two key ingredients to make a downtown successful."

MacInnes said those were two keys that they learned in the late 1970s and 80s while the planning commission, downtown development authority and city council members toured downtowns across the Midwest.

"We drove around to different towns in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota and we'd sit down and talk to people about what they're doing right, what they're doing wrong," MacInnes said . "We could actually see what was going on to see what works and doesn't. A lot of good things came out of those trips."

Ideas such as the waterfront trail were results of those trips, and in recent years some of those ideas have helped the downtown attract businesses, which have been flocking there In recent years. The slew of new businesses, paired with the streetscape project in 2009, have really revitalized a once sterile environment.

"Just in the short amount of time that I've been here, I've been happy to see all the improvements going on downtown," said Liza Orwin. a project manager with Moyle Construction.

Moyle, which owns the former Burger King building across from the Franklin Square Inn, is revamping the building for two new tenants that will be moving in.

"Right now the plan is to put a Team Wireless in there, an authorized independent retailer of Verizon Wireless," Orwin said . "Their goal right now is to get in for Aug. 2 as a tentative open date. It's kind of a crunched construction schedule, so we're working on getting them in as quick as we can, and then on the other side the plan is to put a Jimmy Johns in."

An earlier report by The Daily Mining Gazette confirmed that the sub shop is coming to Houghton, and Orwin said they hope to start construction in August.

On the other end of downtown, Laiti Jewelers, a long-time resident of the Copper Country Mall, is making the move to the 100 block, in the build ing formerly occupied by Sew Sisters. They hope to open in late August/ early September after a complete overhaul of the building .

"A great thanks to the city of Houghton, they really worked hard to get us downtown, and we as a business really appreciate that," sa id Mark Butke, owner of Laiti Jewelers.

MacInnes has worked hard to get grants and loans to business downtown, including a revolving loan fund aimed to help businesses as they revamp facades.

"You can spend an awful lot of time and money trying to attract bUSinesses, but we don't spend hardly any time going out and looking for them," MacInnes said. "People inquire here and once we get an inquiry, we take it and run with it ,"

MacInnes said that's been the equation for success so far, and he hopes a new website for downtown will help further the success.

The success translates to the renting market as well, where many landlords can fill open apartments within a week.

"You can fill a one-person apartment anytime," said Alan Kiley, owner of Joey's Seafood and Grill, where he has five residential rentals. "If someone leaves, you can find someone at anytime. The bigger ones can take a little bit longer, but the longest I've gone is a month or two with one vacant. "

Kiley said most of his renters appreciate that it's close to campus as well as businesses.

"People like to access so much, even without for-rent signs I still nave people coming up and asking if I have anything available," Kiley said . Michael H. Babcock can be reached at mbabcock@mininggazette.com.

Top: Renderings from Moyle Construction showing how Dr. Shelly Baker's new Vision and Learning Center will look when it is completed. bottom: Groundbreaking at the construction site on US-2 near Manistique's western city limits has been moving along quickly. Last week, crews from Manistique Rentals Inc. were on the scene pouring concrete. Baker expects to move into the 5,000 square foot facility by the end of summer, with a target opening date of Sept. 3.

by Paul Olson

Work is progressing quickly on the new "Vision and Learning Center" being built by Dr. Shelly Baker on US-2 at Manistique's western city limits. After a decade in business at her current downtown office, Baker expects to open her new facility by Sept. 3.

At 5,000 square feet, the new building will provide Baker the room she needs for her optometry practice.

"We've been in our present location for 10 years now," Baker says. "It's been a great location and we love being downtown. However, we are quickly outgrowing our space. To keep up with technological advances in equipment and state of the art health care, we need to expand."

The new center will allow Baker to add four to five more people to her staff, have more parking for patients, space for a larger dispensary with a greater selection of eyeglass frames, and room to grow in the years ahead.

It may also become an anchor of sorts for a new health care district in the community, thanks to its location, just a quarter-mile from where Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital expects to break ground on its new facility later this year.

The larger building will also give Baker much-needed space for the vision therapy services she provides. Currently, she is offering therapy sessions in a remodeled space at the back of her office - a storage room that was converted into a classroom.

Vision therapy is a division of optometry that seeks to develop and improve visual performance.

According to Baker, people with poorly developed visual skills can suffer a wide range of physical problems, from near- and farsightedness to headaches, eye turns, lazy eye, double vision and fatigue.

But the issue goes far deeper, and the problems can affect every aspect of a person's life, from their handwriting and reading ability to their eyebody coordination, depth perception, and their ability to focus on tasks.

Undiagnosed, such problems will follow a person into adulthood, affecting their work, their home life, even the sports they play.

But that doesn't have to be the case. Early intervention can make all the difference, Baker says.

"Vision is more than 20/20 eyesight. It is a complex process involving over 20 visual abilities," she explains. "Almost 80 percent of what a child comprehends and remembers depends on the efficiency of the visual system."

Yet despite the well-documented links between vision and learning, problems with visual processing far too often go undetected and untreated, or get diagnosed under an umbrella term like ADHD and handled by prescribing unnecessary medications.

"A lot of kids are labeled ADHD when it's really not. It's a visual processing problem," Baker says.

She points to statistics showing that 25 percent of students in the average classroom have difficulty with visual processing. With special education students, the figure jumps to a staggering 75 percent.

The problems have a significant impact outside school as well, with some 95 percent of juvenile delinquents having a visual-processing deficiency.

"The numbers mean that one in four children and seven out of 10 juvenile delinquents struggle with reading and learning because of undiagnosed vision problems," Baker says. "Correcting those problems can improve the academic skills of students and decrease the rate of juvenile delinquency in society."

Baker was drawn to the field of developmental optometry by watching a young family member struggle with learning problems. She trained for more than a year and a half - an educational process that continues even now with courses and conferences - before starting to offer vision therapy in her practice about a year ago.

She has had as many as six therapy patients at one time, and has graduated a total of eight from the program.

The typical patient will have a one-hour therapy session every week for 32 to 39 weeks, and over the course of that time will usually see vast changes.

"The biggest improvements are in math, reading and spelling," Baker says. "But there will be improvements in other areas, too. We work on many things, not just the eyes. It's gross motor skills, primitive reflexes, the whole program."

The wall of her office is adorned with hand-written letters - thank-you notes from the children she has helped and their parents.

With a smile, Baker recalls her very first therapy patient.

"That's my 'poster child' for the program," she says. "A fifth grader who came in reading at a third-grade level. By the time we were done, they were reading at grade 13. It really makes you feel good, because you know what a difference it makes. You know how much you're helping."

She looks forward to getting into her new office building, not only to give the program the space it needs but to allow expansion into new areas of therapy, working with autistic children, helping athletes improve their performance, and more.

Parents, teachers and others looking for additional information on vision therapy can contact Baker at 341-3933.

After years of planning and months of construction, the new Jack’s Fresh Market in Manistique officially opened for business on Wednesday morning. Above: With the assistance of their grandchildren, owners Jack and Lynn Ziminski held the ribbon as their sons, Mike and Jon, made the ceremonial cut. Below: The first purchase was made by Jack’s grandson, Jacob. He bought ice cream to take back to school and share with his classmates following the festivities.(Pioneer-Tribune photos)

Work is continuing at a frantic pace at the new Jack’s Fresh Market on Veterans Drive in Manistique. The grocery store is set to open its doors to the public less than a week from now, at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19. Crews are finishing up the last of the construction and electric work as other employees are busy nearly around the clock stocking thousands of items on the shelves. The 43,000 square foot facility is more than double the size of the store it’s replacing, the old Jack’s SuperValu on Maple Street. In addition to a larger and more varied inventory, it will also feature amenties such as a sitdown eating area in the deli and bakery, a made-to-order sandwich bar, a beverage bar for coffee, espresso and hot chocolate, a soup and salad bar, and a full-service branch of mBank, which is also opening on the 19th. Store owner Jack Ziminski says they have already hired 15 to 20 new employees and will eventually have a workforce of 95.

Jack’s SuperValu will close its doors for the final time this Saturday, May 15, at 6 p.m. Until the Fresh Market opens, Save-ALot on Deer Street will accomodate local shoppers with expanded hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday. (Pioneer-Tribune photos)

“This is a big day for Ironwood,” Luther L. Wright principal Tim Kolesar said Wednesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for the addition to the school. Representatives from the Ironwood Area School District’s board of education, the city of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College, the JROTC, as well as teachers and other staff attended. Also on hand were representatives from the general contractor, Moyle Construction, and the design firm and construction manager, Integrated Design Inc. Putting shovel to earth are, from left, newly elected board member Chuck Vitton, re-elected board member Marilyn Nezworski, student council members Ashley Christoferson and Joey Kafczynski, government teacher Gordy Erickson, science teacher Paul Mattson and Moyle Construction’s project superintendent Jon Mottonen. (Annette Manwell/Daily Globe photo)

“This is a big day for Ironwood,” Luther L. Wright principal Tim Kolesar said Wednesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for the addition to the school. Representatives from the Ironwood Area School District’s board of education, the city of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College, the JROTC, as well as teachers and other staff attended. Also on hand were representatives from the general contractor, Moyle Construction, and the design firm and construction manager, Integrated Design Inc. Putting shovel to earth are, from left, newly elected board member Chuck Vitton, re-elected board member Marilyn Nezworski, student council members Ashley Christoferson and Joey Kafczynski, government teacher Gordy Erickson, science teacher Paul Mattson and Moyle Construction’s project superintendent Jon Mottonen. (Annette Manwell/Daily Globe photo)

by Barry Drue, L’Anse Sentinel

Moyle Construction has completed its assessment of the costs and options of using the existing Baraga County Memorial Hospital building for courthouse functions.

The Courthouse Improvement Committee requested that Moyle explore the potential scenarios to deal with the aging but historic courthouse, and the deteriorating annex building adjacent. Last Fall Moyle volunteered to invest up to $10,000 for a feasibility study exploring the idea of moving courthouse and annex facilities to the soon-to-be-empty BCMH.

A recent estimate placed the cost to bring the existing courthouse facilities up to code at $1.6 million. That would not address a number of problems, including outdated facilities and inadequate space. Baraga County spent $118,000 in repairs between October, 2008, and September, 2009. The courthouse is on the Michigan Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1884-85, ten years after Baraga County was established by the state legislature on Feb. 19, 1875. The original courthouse construction bid was $11,945 by John B. Sweatt of Marquette.

“Due to the age and condition of the Annex and Courthouse similar costs can be anticipated should operations remain at the (current) facility without major renovation,” Moyle assessed in its feasibility study released March 4, 2010.

Due to pervasive mold, the basement of the courthouse was gutted two years ago. It is currently under re-construction.

With the construction of a new hospital and completion expected in the summer of 2011, the existing hospital, or portions of it, could be available for another use. Ultimately the Baraga County Board Commissioners will have to determine what becomes of the old hospital-and the courthouse facilities.

Joseph O’Leary chairs the Courthouse Improvement Committee. Several county officials and county commissioner Paul Tesanovich are members of the committee.

The existing Baraga County Memorial Hospital contains 52,000 square feet on two levels. It was built in 1950 with additions in 1961, 1976 and 1990. Moyle inspected with hospital Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Rank in January. Among general issues found were ADA accessibility problems, the heating system needs replacement, asbestos is in some floor tile and pipe insulation, some exterior masonry needs repair, windows are drafty and need replacement, lack of wall insulation in portions, and the sprinkler system needs upgrades.

Among the major options presented by Moyle:

Option 1-use entire BCMH

Renovating the entire hospital, utilizing 34,000 square feet for county/courthouse functions, and leaving the two-floor west wing of 17,800 square feet (current SNU on first floor and dining/offices on lower floor) for leasing. The estimated cost would be $4,400,000.

Option 2-use 34,000 ft., demolish wing

Renovating the newer portions of the hospital and demolishing the west wing is estimated to cost $3,150,000. Rough sketches indicate that the county offices, district and circuit court, etc. could easily fit in the remaining portion of the hospital, with the west wing gone. There would also be downstairs storage space.

Option 3-build new courthouse

Moyle looked into the cost of building a 30,000 square foot facility for a new courthouse near the sheriff department and jail. The cost for new construction and site work was estimated at $5,900,000.

One issue that has been mentioned is the projected cost for the county to operate a renovated hospital or portion thereof.

Last year Baraga County spent $20,714 on water, sewer, electric and heating for the courthouse and annex.

Last year BCMH spent $228,000 on water, sewer, electric and heat. Moyle notes that the hospital occupancy is much higher than would be expected for a courthouse, and that it runs 24 hours per day, compared to the typical eight for a courthouse.

With new fixtures and renovation Moyle estimated Option 1 (renovate full hospital) would cost the county about $60,000 per year in utilities. Option two (tear down west wing) would cost about $45,000.

What’s next?

The county board provided $500 for the Courthouse Improvement Committee to gather public input about a direction to pursue. O’Leary is planning on town meetings all over the county to hear people’s opinions. The committee may enlist a paper and on-line survey to gather options.

A tax increase to move the courthouse to the old hospital might not be popular, O’Leary predicted, but he noted that the current 20-year, 2.5 mill hospital tax expires this year.

“Maybe people would be willing to allow a mill or mill and a half for this. They’d still be getting a reduction from 2.5 mills, just not as big,” O’Leary said.

“We don’t know. That’s why we want input. Ultimately it’s the people who will be paying for this. We want to know what they think, he added.

Moyle USA plans to provide construction services throughout the Midwest on a broader spectrum. As primarily a commercial construction company, Moyle builds everything from big box retail centers to industrial complexes to medical facilities. In addition to new construction, the company performs remodeling work, such as a project in Menominee where the old hospital was renovated to become a senior living establishment. Working from its offices south of Houghton, the company design department provides design build for clients, handling the entire design process.

Moyle has also developed residential projects, including multi-unit structures such as Canal Crossings near the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and Bayside, a residential community in Dollar Bay. Moyle owns a number of hotels, including AmericanInns, such as the one in Calumet, and Country Inn and Suites in other parts of the U.P.

The company has completed a project in downstate Michigan and a hotel in Marinette, Wisconsin. For the last five years, the company has worked on projects in the Midwest and plans to continue to explore possibilities.

Courtesy photo. Moyle USA, a local corporation based in Houghton, has completed several different projects around the Copper Country and has expanded services across the Upper Peninsula and downstate.

By STACEY KUKKONEN, DMG Writer

HOUGHTON - Moyle USA, a local corporation which has completed construction projects all over the Copper Country, is expanding its wings.

Over the years, the company has completed construction projects such as one at Hancock Central High School, where they contributed foundation and site work, and has completed several different shopping centers that dot the Copper Country. Now the company plans to offer its services all over the Midwest on a broader spectrum.

"We're primarily a commercial construction company," said Liza Orwin, project manager and marketing coordinator.

"We do everything from retail centers to retail buildings for big box companies and even smaller companies," she said.

Moyle does industrial worksite work and wastewater treatment facilities as well, Orwin said.

Moyle started out as a residential construction company in 1976 working out of a garage in Lake Linden. It has expanded to offices south of Houghton and taken on several projects around the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan and Wisconsin.

Residential projects have included multi-unit structures such as Canal Crossings near the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and Bayside, a residential community in Dollar Bay.

"We've expanded from there, but we still do multi-residential," she said.

Currently, the company is working on a medical office building in Sault Ste. Marie. Moyle also constructed Walmart stores in Houghton and Ironwood.

"For about 10 to 20 years, we've done work throughout the U.P.," Orwin said.

Aside from new construction, the company also does remodeling work, such as a project in Menominee where it renovated the old hospital into a senior living establishment.

"Not only do we do construction, but we also have a design department," Orwin said. "We can do design build for clients, meaning we handle the entire design process."

Bringing in outside engineers and architects as well using in-house staff, the company works with clients to provide the best service possible.

"We've always had an architect on staff for about 10 years," she said.

About 40 to 50 people are employed at Moyle in the office complex, with another 90 to 100 people in the field.

Moyle also owns a number of hotels including AmericanInns, such as the one in Calumet, and Country Inn and Suites in other parts of the U.P.

The company has sand and gravel operations, such as the Valley View Quarry in Dodgeville, as well as a lumber yard.

Having a lot of supplies right at its fingertips has proven beneficial over other similar companies.

"It gives us an advantage over our competition because we can get better pricing on materials and a better selection," Orwin said.

In 2006, the company completed a project in downstate Michigan and completed a hotel in Marinette, Wis., about five years ago.

Within the last five years, the company has explored projects around the Midwest.

In the last few years, the company has completed several projects around Houghton, including Ridge Crest Plaza, which now houses Maurice's, Verizon, Aspirus Keweenaw and Superior National Bank.

The company has worked on the autoplex behind Keweenaw Automotive, which houses Loads of Fun Laundry, and is now renovating the old Still Waters building.

"We're renovating it into a senior living facility like the Bluffs," Orwin said.

Stacey Kukkonen can be reached at skukkonen @mininggazette.com.

Kurt Hauglie/DMG Photo. The former Still Waters Community Elders Home is under construction to become Garden View Assisted Living, which will proved traditional assisted living plus “memory care” for those with various forms of dementia. An opening is planned for July.

CALUMET TOWNSHIP - Many people were disappointed when Still Waters Community Elders Home closed in 2006, but another company is using the building to create a new assisted living facility with something extra.

That something extra is called memory care, and is for people with various forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, according to officials with project developer G.A. Haan Development LLC of Harbor Springs, Mich.

Kathy Schorfhaar, G.A. Haan project coordinator, said the new Garden View Assisted Living structure will be very different from what was there previously.

"We have gutted the whole building," she said. "We're moving right along."

Construction is expected to be completed in July with an opening soon after, Schorfhaar said.

In order to keep community members apprised of the intent of the new facility, Schorfhaar said two public meetings were conducted in February, and another one is planned for early May.

Although a few unexpected things have popped up during construction, Schorfhaar said for the most part the work has been uneventful.

"It's normal rehab surprises," she said.

The local contractor for the project is Moyle Construction of Houghton. Management of the facility will be done by Senior Housing management Inc. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Once construction is completed, Schorfhaar said it is expected to take 10 days to have equipment delivered and installed.

Schorfhaar said initially the plan is for the 41 units to include 28 for memory care, and 13 for assisted living.

"That could change," she said.

It's possible the new facility may be able to accommodate couples with double occupancy, also, but that has yet to be decided.

Besides the building renovation, Schorfhaar said the grounds outside will be completely redesigned, also.

A general manger for the facility has been hired, Schorfhaar said, and some applications for residents have been received.

"We have six really good prospects," she said. "We don't do assessments until 30 days out from when they could be a resident."

Staff are still needed to be hired for the facility, Schorfhaar said, and applications can be picked up at the Michigan Works! office in Houghton. More information for those interested in either working at or becoming a resident at Garden View Assisted Living can be found by calling 369-4078.

Schorfhaar said the construction project for the new facility has gone very well.

"We're really excited how it's come together," she said.

Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com.

By KURT HAUGLIE, DMG Writer

Moyle performed the site work and construction on the new garage for the Bootjack Fire and Rescue Department located next to the former fire hall. The new garage provides the department with ample storage for fire trucks and supplies, including a taller center door to accommodate larger equipment. The new building was set back further from the road than the previous building to make turning easier when vehicles are exiting the garage. Funds were raised by the Bootjack Fire & Rescue Foundation for this project, with fundraising continuing for a planned phase two which would include separate men’s and woman’s showers and additional office space.

On April 12, 2010, Baraga County Memorial Hospital officials joined staff from Skanska Construction and URS Architects for the official groundbreaking ceremony at the new location for the hospital. Construction began in 2009 unofficial. The new facility is scheduled for completion in July 2011, and open in August.

The new hospital will offer patients greater convenience with all services, including physicians and clinics in a single location. The new $28.3 million, 71,000 square foot facility will replace the current building to meet the changing needs of the community.

Skanska Construction is the Construction Manager at Risk and Moyle will be performing the Masonry, Structural Steel, Site Concrete and Furnishings, and Rough Carpentry packages as a subcontractor.

The War Memorial Office Building, developed and built by Moyle, has provided War Memorial Hospital the opportunity to expand through a leaseback option. This form of construction, allowed the hospital to meet expansion needs without a major capital outlay. The War Memorial Hospital currently plans to lease the first two floors of the War Memorial Office Building.

On March 27, 2010, Tractor Supply held a Grand Opening celebration for its new store in Negaunee, Michigan. Despite the continuing poor economy, Moyle was pleased to work with Tractor Supply through the entire project process. Moyle Construction was the general contractor for the construction of the building, while Moyle Development provided the lease back option.

April 2010 - The Mine Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor awarded Valley View Quarry, formerly known as Moyle Sand & Gravel, the Sentinels of Safety Award for the calendar year of 2008. The award was in the Small Bank or Pit Group section and recognizes companies with a minimum of 4,000 employee-hours worked without a lost-time injury. Valley View Quarry achieved 4,496 hours.

Located in Houghton, Michigan, Valley View Quarry is the only pit in the area to receive this award. The Sentinel of Safety Award illustrates Moyle, Inc's company wide focus on safety and its commitment to employing safety practices that not only meet all state and national regulations, but Moyle, Inc.'s own high standards.

Valley View Quarry is operated by Moyle, Inc.

PDF version

Moyle’s Safety Director, Gene James, has earned MTI Level One Certification for construction. He joins a select group of only thirty in the state of Michigan, and the only one in the Upper Peninsula. Gene was required to take the same type of courses as MIOSHA professional staff.

The MIOSHA Training Institute introduced the MTI Certification Program on October 1, 2007. It offers participants an opportunity to be recognized for their educational efforts and increased technical expertise. Level One allows the participant to begin the process of developing a safety and health management system while becoming familiar with MIOSHA Standards and other relevant topics.

By achieving this certification, Gene represents Moyle’s continued commitment to safety. An additional benefit of the certification is lower insurance rates and less rigorous MIOSHA jobsite inspections.

Achieving 420,134 hours with only one lost time incident is a significant milestone in the construction industry. Moyle is not only proud of this achievement, but also of the entire Moyle team whose tireless dedication to safety is reflected in this outstanding safety record. We remain committed to continuing this record for the safety of our crews, customers and visitors to our jobsites.

CALUMET - When Still Waters Community Elders Home closed in Calumet in 2006 for financial reasons, many people in the village and surrounding area were concerned a need would go unmet.

However, another organization is set to fill the gap left by the closing of Still Waters, and in the same building.

Gerry Hahn of project developer G.A. Hahn Development LLC in Harbor Springs, Mich., said Garden View Assisted Living will be divided between traditional assisted living and a "memory care" facility for people with dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease.

His company got involved with the project after a market survey done last year in Calumet, Hahn said.

"There's a screaming need for memory care," he said.

Hahn said work has started on the renovation of the building on Elm Street, and it's expected to open this summer. There will be 41 units, but the division between assisted living and memory care hasn't been decided yet.

"It's a pretty traditional design for assisted living," he said.

Hahn said although there are other assisted living care facilities in the area, there are few, if any, facilities specifically for care of those with dementia.

"There's really nowhere for them to go," he said. "They have different needs than people in assisted living."

Hahn said many people with dementia may start behaving as though they were living their lives from years or even decades ago, and the staff at the new facility will be trained to understand that behavior and help them get through their days.

There is a trend with developers and operators of assisted living facilities to accommodate those with memory problems, Hahn said.

"What the industry has done is say, 'What do these people need?" he asked.

The facility was designed by Arcc & Associates of Lansing, and construction is being done by Moyle Construction of Houghton.

Management of the facility will be done by Senior Housing management Inc. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who will be hiring staff locally, Hahn said.

"They've started a search for a director," he said.

Tony Bausano, Calumet village president, said he's glad to hear there will be a replacement for Still Waters.

"I'm thankful we found a company willing to invest in Calumet," he said. "That's something we could really use."

Hahn said something will be done to honor the people who financially supported Still Waters.

"We're sensitive to the fact that the community supported Still Waters," he said.

Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie @mininggazette.com.

After a long delay in steel delivery, work on the new Jack's SuperValu grocery store just east of Pamida is moving along briskly, and even with this week's return of cold and wind and snow, the construction is progressing well. Power was turned inside the partially-enclosed building Tuesday, allowing a portion of it to be heated, and work crews expect to have the building fully enclosed in less than two weeks. Owner Jack Ziminski says the next step will be to pour the floor, and then interior construction can get underway in earnest. While glitches and delays are still possible, Ziminski says they are currently on track for a targeted opening date of May 13. The 43,000 square foot store - more than twice the size of the existing SuperValu on Maple Street - will feature spacious aisles and a long list of amenities, including such things as a sit-down eating area and made-to-order sandwich bar, a beverage bar for coffee, espresso, hot chocolate and soda, and more. (courtesy of Pioneer-Tribune)

Moyle was pleased to donate $2230.00 to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly “Winter Heating Assistance Program” in memory of Jeff Moyle. The money was raised through a program which allowed employees to buy into a pool, guessing who would be the winner of the weekly NASCAR race. The proceeds were then divided evenly between the winner and the Little Brothers’ donation.

As many of you are aware, Jeff Moyle had a deep passion for racing. This program was developed with a twofold purpose…support a very worthy cause and for Moyle employees to honor Jeff’s love of the sport of racing.