Thursday, February 29, 2024
The Mining Journal 5A
Region
Ontonagon Hos-
pital’s emergency
entrance is shown.
(Daily Mining Gazette
photo)
So far, not so good: Ontonagon looks to maintain ER
services after Aspirus health clinic announcement
By GARRETT NEESE
Daily Mining Gazette
ONTONAGON — On-
gauge their interest in doing April 20, Aspirus said in a up of services in Ontonagon Kocher said.
shock,” he said.
“Ontonagon
SONCO Ambulance will Ontonagon facility will be- current needs of the com- sitions may be offered posi- third-largest county in the
munity. In its release, Aspi- tions at Aspirus’ facility in State of Michigan,” he
It will provide primary rus said the hospital serves Laurium, Kocher said. One said. “And to say we don’t
tatives are searching for cuss what emergency re- care, same-day access, core an average of one inpatient employee had already been have an ER? I can’t fathom
a solution after Aspirus’s sponse will look like in the laboratory services, imaging per day — and on some told their job will be moved what that will mean down
announcement last week it county, Kocher said. services; physical, occupa- days, none. to Laurium, to where they the road for potential em-
would be ending hospital State Rep. Greg Mark- tional and speech therapy; Figures for the total num- will drive four days a week, ployment, job opportunities
and emergency room opera- kanen said he, State Sen. retail pharmacy services; ber of visitors, including Kocher said. coming into the county.”
tions at Aspirus Ontonagon Ed McBroom and U.S. Rep. and specialty outreach for outpatients, were unavail- Residents had begun circu- While there had been no
Hospital and transitioning a Jack Bergman are explor- cardiology, women’s health, able. But ambulances make lating information regarding official word, rumors had
rural health clinic. ing all options to maintain podiatry and diabetes care. between two to four trips to the closure, asking residents already been circulating in
911 coverage in the coun- emergency care in the coun- In response to an inter- the hospital per day on aver- to call their representation. the community. Markkanen
ty remains unchanged, said ty. It’s too soon to say what view request, an Aspirus age, Kocher said. The Michigan Nurses As- said he had contacted As-
Ontonagon County Emer- that will look like, he said. representative said the or- There are currently two sociation also created a pe- pirus leadership several
gency Services Director “We’re looking into ev- ganization would have no ambulances stationed at the tition online, calling for As- days before last week’s an-
Michael Kocher. However, erything right now,” said comment beyond the initial north end of the county at pirus to maintain emergency nouncement and had been
they are still working out Markkanen, R-Hancock. press release. the sheriff’s department, care. It said rural emergency assured the hospital was not
what emergency response “Everything’s on the table. Aspirus paired the news and one on the south end at rooms are vital centers for closing.
will look like in the county. But the main priority is to with the announcement of the Ewen Fire Hall. providing care to stabilize “That’s very upsetting,”
With no emergency room keep that emergency room a $30 million renovation Aspirus also stated it is people before transfer to he said. “If I started lying
in Ontonagon, the nearest open or staffed in some and expansion of Aspirus working with Ontonagon a larger facility, which in to people, I wouldn’t be in
one would be 47 miles away way, shape or form to ser- Keweenaw Hospital in Lau- employees whose roles are some cases can save lives, this office very long. That’s
at Baraga County Memorial vice Ontonagon County.” rium. That will be used to changing to find other po- the petition states. really not how we oper-
Hospital. UP Health – Por- Kocher said one option make existing infrastructure sitions within the Aspirus “Aspirus claims to care ate in the Upper Peninsula,
tage in Hancock is 50 miles being considered is find- more efficient and effective, system. about lives in the U.P., but and I would expect more
away, and Aspirus Iron- ing an organization willing redesigning and remodeling There are around 70 em- its actions say otherwise,” from a Wisconsin compa-
wood Hospital more than to purchase the hospital. inpatient rooms to enable ployees at the hospital, the petition said. ny than that. I realize it’s
60, he said. Aspirus has owned it since advanced care delivery and Kocher said. In conversa- County officials had re- a very tough decision, and
something similar.
release. After that point, the was a better match for the
About 20 to 30 skilled po-
is
the
tonagon county officials be meeting with Aspirus come a rural health clinic.
and area political represen- Medivac on Friday to dis-
“The odds of survivabil- 2007, when it purchased it a better patient experience, tion with the Aspirus ad- ceived no advance notice, I understand that, but they
ity, if you were to have a from the Village of Ontona- and improving patient flow ministrator, he was told with Kocher finding out didn’t even give us a chance
stroke or heart attack in gon. Among the improve- and primary care access, ac- about half of those would from a local radio station, to help them or assist in any
downtown
went from a high percent- 8,210-square-foot
age to a much lower per- gency department expan- mitted to the Upper Pen-
centage, because you’ll sion and inpatient unit ren- insula and to continuously
be taking at minimum an ovation. transforming to meet the
hour-long ride,” he said. When Kocher and Rantala changing needs of its com-
Ontonagon, ments since then were an cording to a release.
remain at the new facility, he said. It had been a “total way possible.”
emer- “Aspirus Health is com-
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Professional Licensing
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
March 19, 2024
Kocher is also concerned met with an Aspirus admin- munities,” said Christine
about what will happen for istrators after the announce- Harr, Aspirus U.P. Region
medical events occurring ment, he told them there president. “Despite the
outside the rural health clin- were no offers on the table, COVID-19 pandemic and
9:00 a.m.
Location: 611 W. Ottawa Street, UL-5
Lansing, Michigan
The hearing is held to receive public comments on the following administrative rules:
ic’s operating hours, which Kocher said.
will be during regular busi- “Our concern as public es, we have stayed strong
ness hours Monday through officials in Ontonagon is through foresight, integra-
Friday. providing reasonable health tion and rigorous continu-
recent economic challeng-
Acupuncture
(MOAHR #2023-33 LR)
Kocher said he and Sheriff care for everybody who ous improvement. We are
Dale Rantala are looking at lives in and drives through happy to be able to invest
obtaining training for sher- the county … I don’t know these resources in support
iff’s deputies to get them what the ultimate answer is, of the people who depend
certified as medical first re- but all of those avenues will on us for excellent, compas-
Authority: MCL 333.16141, 333.16145, 333.16148, 333.16174, 333.16201, 333.16204, 333.16205,
333.16287, 333.16515, 333.16517, and 333.16525 and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1991-
9, 1996-2, 2003-1, and 2011-4, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and 445.2030.
Overview: The proposed rules revise definitions, update the national standards of competence
approved and adopted by the board, and clarify that a licensee who completes an implicit bias
training program required under R 338.7004 may also use that training toward fulfillment of
continuing education requirements if the training has been approved by the National Certification
Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
sponders. He will also go to be explored,” he said.
the local fire departments to The changes take effect
sionate care.”
Aspirus said the new line-
Chiropractic
(MOAHR #2023-035 LR)
Enthusiasm + Passion
= Success
Authority: MCL 333.16145, 333.16148, 333.16204, 333.16287, 333.16401, 333.16412, 333.16423,
and 333.16431, and Executive Reorganization Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1 and 2011-4, MCL
338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and 445.2030.
Growing new and existing business
in Marquette and Baraga Counties
Overview: The proposed rules include clarifying language and typographical revisions, supplying
conditions related to consent, scope of practice, and standard of care for telehealth services,
removal of the requirement that a licensee must complete not less than two hours of continuing
education in performing and ordering tests, and clarification that a license who completes implicit
bias training under R 338.7004 may also use that training toward fulfillment of continuing education
requirements.
(906) 250-9182
CITY OF MARQUETTE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
FOR CITY OF MARQUETTE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN
AMENDMENT
The rules will take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State, unless specified otherwise
in the rules. Comments on the proposed rules may be presented in person at the public hearing. Written
comments will also be accepted from date of publication until 5:00 p.m. on March 19, 2024, at the
following address or e-mail address:
The Marquette City Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission
Chambers, Marquette City Hall, 300 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, Michigan on the City of Marquette Downtown
Development Authority Downtown Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan #4.
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Professional Licensing– Boards and Committees Section
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909-8170
Attention: Departmental Specialist Email: BPL-BoardSupport@michigan.gov
This plan will expand the current Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) district to include the taxable properties on
both the east and west sides of North Third Street between Fair Avenue and Ridge Street for 30 years and will
extend the duration of the existing TIF Plan #3 for 30 years to 2054 under TIF Plan #4. Limitations to tax capture
established by Downtown Development Plan # 2 remain in place. The existing TIF area includes all adjacent
taxable parcels north and south of Bluff Street between Third Street and Front Street; taxable properties south of
East Ridge Street between North Third Street and North Front Street; taxable properties adjacent to Blaker Street
on the north, south, and west side; properties adjacent to East and West Washington Street to the north and south
between Seventh Street and Lakeshore Boulevard; taxable properties between South Fourth Street and South
Third Street, south of properties adjacent to Washington Street on the north to West Baraga Avenue on the south;
taxable properties between South Third Street and Lakeshore Boulevard, adjacent to Main Street both north and
south; taxable properties both north and south of Spring Street from South Fourth Street to Lakeshore Boulevard;
taxable properties both north and south of East and West Baraga Avenue from South Third Street to Lake
Superior on the east; taxable properties not previously mentioned adjacent to North and South Front Street from
Ridge Street to East and West Baraga Avenue; taxable properties not previously mentioned north and west of
Lakeshore Boulevard from a location just north and west of the northwest corner of the Elwood A. Mattson Lower
Harbor parking lot, heading west then south to a line extending from Rock Street on the west to Lake Superior on
the east; all taxable properties south and east of Lakeshore Boulevard from East Ridge Street on the northeast,
south and west to a line extending Rock Street on the west to Lake Superior on the east.
A copy of the proposed rules may be obtained by contacting Board Support at (517) 241-7500 or the
email address noted above. Electronic copies also may be obtained at the following link:
A copy of the proposed rules may be obtained by contacting Board Support at (517) 241-7500 or the
email address noted above. Electronic copies also may be obtained at the following link:
Acupuncture
Chiropractic
To allow for broad public attendance and participation, including for persons with disabilities,
members of the public may access this meeting by both web and phone and provide either oral or
written comments. Closed captioning will be provided, when available. Members of the public
who are speech or hearing impaired may also attend and participate in this meeting by dialing 7-1-
1 and using the Michigan Relay service. More information about this service may be found at
There are no plans to acquire any project with residences in conjunction with this plan that would require the
relocation of families or individuals.
Act 57 of 2018 provides for the capture of the increased taxes due to investments made by businesses and
building owners in Marquette’s downtown district, which will be reinvested into the district.
People with disabilities requiring additional accommodations (such as materials in alternative
format) to participate in the meeting, or those that have questions should contact the department at
The City of Marquette Downtown Development Authority Downtown Development Plan and Tax Increment
Financing Plan #4 is available for public inspection at the Clerk’s Office in Marquette City Hall, 300 W. Baraga
Ave., as well as the Marquette DDA Office, 337 W. Washington St. All aspects of the TIF Plan are open for
discussion at the public hearing.
Please call (517) 241-7500 or email BPL-BoardSupport@michigan.gov with any questions related to
the hearing.
Please contact Tara Laase-McKinney, Executive Director, Marquette Downtown Development Authority, at (906)
