The Upper Peninsula made it through another week, which means it’s time to look at what kept police officers, firefighters and dispatchers occupied while the rest of us were doing our best not to become the reason somebody had to call them.
It wasn’t exactly seven days of lawless pandemonium. We had a burning utility truck, an empty house on fire, an allegation involving a public beach, a wandering husky and, unfortunately, one fatal crash.
Here’s some of what happened around da Yoop from Aug. 10 through Aug. 16.
NEGAUNEE — UPPCO Utility Truck Catches Fire
A UPPCO utility truck caught fire on County Road 510 in Negaunee at about 2:52 Friday morning, closing one lane while Negaunee firefighters and Michigan State Police handled the scene. No injuries were reported.
There is something beautifully backwards about a truck belonging to the power company suddenly producing an uncontrolled supply of heat and light.
Nobody was hurt, so we can appreciate that.
QUINNESEC — Fire Damages Unoccupied House
Firefighters responded Thursday morning to a house fire on Quinnesec Avenue, with crews from Breitung Township and Norway among those responding along with law enforcement.
The important part: nobody was home and no injuries were reported.
Once you’ve heard the words “your house was on fire,” that’s about the best second sentence you’re going to get.
MARQUETTE — Man Charged After Alleged Indecent Exposure Near Beach
Marquette Police arrested 70-year-old Gordon Quinnell following reports of alleged indecent behavior near the beach along Lakeshore Boulevard and Pine Street Wednesday. Police said Quinnell left before officers arrived but was later identified through tips on social media.
He was subsequently charged with aggravated indecent exposure and a felony indecent-exposure count related to a prior conviction.
We’re not going to overthink this one.
“Public beach” describes the beach.
It is not an instruction.
MARQUETTE — Loose Husky Reported on Fairway Drive
Sunday dispatch traffic in Marquette included a report of a loose husky mix wandering around Fairway Drive, with radio traffic indicating this may not have been the dog’s first independent expedition through the neighborhood.
This comes from dispatch traffic rather than a formal police report, so we don’t know exactly what happened afterward.
We do know it was a husky.
Anybody who has ever met a husky understands that there’s a decent chance the dog was fully aware of the rules and had simply rejected their legitimacy.
KI SAWYER — Motorcyclist Dies Following Crash
First responders were dispatched to Fifth Street and Avenue B in KI Sawyer at about 4:24 p.m. Thursday for a crash involving a motorcycle and passenger vehicle.
Forsyth Township Police said the motorcycle rider, a 76-year-old Marquette resident, was transported to UP Health System-Marquette, where he later died from his injuries.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene. Our condolences go to his family and friends.
EASTERN U.P. — What Are You People Up To?
Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac counties were remarkably quiet in the police-and-fire reports this week.
That’s good news.
Probably.
Maybe everybody from St. Ignace to the Sault simply spent seven consecutive days obeying the law, driving carefully and making responsible decisions.
We are willing to entertain that possibility.
We’re not willing to bet money on it.
Either way, Eastern U.P., we haven’t forgotten you’re over there. Enjoy the clean record while it lasts. We’re watching.
